Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing with it heavy rainfall, flooding, tornadoes, and at least 16 reported fatalities. While the storm's impact was significant, Governor Ron DeSantis stated that it wasn't the worst-case scenario, noting that storm surge in some areas was less severe than Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida just two weeks prior.
A truck drives down a flooded street in Siesta Key, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Milton, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. At least 16 deaths have been reported as of Thursday morning after it was reported a man in his 60s stepped on a downed power line while cleaning up debris after the storm, the Orange County Sheriff's Office toldwithin a span of 20 minutes, according to St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson. Six of the deaths have been reported in that county.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday afternoon that 999 people and 105 animals have been rescued by Urban Search and Rescue Teams and the Florida National Guard. Arriving just two weeks after the devastating Hurricane Helene, the Category 3 storm flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off the As cleanup continued, residents started traveling home and several theme parks reopened in the state that relies heavily on tourism.DeSantis told reporters Thursday that Hurricane Milton was significant but was not "the worst case scenario" adding the worst storm surge appeared to be in Sarasota County with 8 to 10 feet -- less than Helene in some places.
We will better understand the extent of the damage as the day progresses,” he said. “The storm was significant but thankfully, this was not the worst case scenario.About 90 minutes after making landfall, Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. By early Thursday, the hurricane was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 85 mph and leaving the state near Cape Canaveral.
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