Gina Heslop
On the night of October 10, 2024, Hurricane Milton, a strong Category 3 hurricane, made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
It hit near Siesta Key, located in Sarasota County, at around 8:30 p.m. The storm brought heavy winds of more than 120 mph, along with non-stop rain. This combination caused serious damage, especially to homes and businesses.
Over 1.1 million people lost power across Florida, with the worst effects seen in Sarasota, Manatee, and Hardee counties. Many areas were left in darkness, and the communities were struggling to deal with the destruction.
As the storm moved inland, it created more problems. Several deadly tornadoes formed in different areas, including St. Lucie County. These tornadoes were particularly devastating in places like Spanish Lakes Country Club, a senior living community near Fort Pierce.
Sheriff Keith Pearson reported that there were several deaths at this location, though the exact number of victims is still unknown. Search and rescue teams have been working non-stop, trying to find survivors under the piles of debris and wreckage left behind.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) quickly reacted to the crisis. They used social media platforms like Facebook to warn people about the ongoing danger and urged them to stay in their shelters.
Even though the storm had passed some areas, it remained hazardous, with power outages, floods, and storm damage everywhere. Emergency responders are working hard to restore services and reach the worst-affected places, but it will take time.
The hurricane’s impact is vast, with millions still without power and communities left in disarray. Families and businesses are now beginning to assess the damage, while emergency crews continue their search for survivors.
The true scale of the destruction will only become clear in the coming days, but it’s evident that Hurricane Milton has left a lasting mark on the state of Florida. The recovery process will be long and difficult for many of the affected residents.
