SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Following the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Milton, recovery efforts are underway amid the significant aftermath left by this powerful storm. This hurricane hit Florida's shores just weeks after Hurricane Helene, creating compounded challenges for the state, including massive power outages and widespread flooding.
Reports indicate over 80,000 residents from affected areas have sought refuge since Milton made landfall. During its peak, more than three million people were without power, and the initial damages are estimated at around $50 billion, according to President Biden. The damage assessment process is just beginning, with many still unaware of the full scope of destruction.
"People are still - people still don't know exactly what the damage has been, and that's something we'll all be discovering in the weeks to come," remarked Sivani Babu, a volunteer with the American Red Cross who is prepared to assist individuals affected by the storm.
Babu emphasized the urgency and prolonged commitment of recovery efforts: "Our work is going to continue for weeks and months to come. Our work started before the first raindrops ever fell, before Hurricane Helene, and it will continue for quite some time." Over 45 volunteers from Central California, including those from Santa Barbara, have been deployed to the Florida region.
The American Red Cross is actively providing essentials such as food, water, and shelter to those displaced by the hurricane. Donations from local residents are being encouraged, especially through avenues such as blood drives or financial contributions via text.
Meanwhile, Florida’s own response efforts are tackling the fallout from Milton and the preceding hurricane. Federal and local officials, including U.S. Senator Rick Scott and U.S. Congressman Brian Mast, convened to brief the public about the challenges faced due to back-to-back hurricanes. They noted the unexpected challenges posed by tornadoes spawned by Milton, which claimed at least six lives prior to the hurricane's landfall.
"What surprised everybody is these tornadoes and the death they caused," Scott remarked during his address, highlighting the unique dangers associated with Milton. Both Scott and Mast urged residents to be thorough when assessing property damage, as underlying issues may remain hidden from casual inspections. It is imperative, they stressed, to push insurance companies to investigate potential structural damages thoroughly.
This disaster has prompted rapid mobilization of resources across Florida. Sheriff Keith Pearson reported significant logistical support, including the distribution of over one million square feet of blue tarps and 55 miles of rope to aid residents whose homes have been compromised.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is also heavily involved, emphasizing the need for properly categorizing damages for effective assistance. According to Mast, the agency provides resources for temporary housing but does not engage significantly with uninsured losses.
Local emergency management officials opened the Havert L. Fenn Center as the Multi-Resource Agency Center to assist residents with recovery efforts. The center is operating from 8 am to 7 pm, and includes services from various organizations to support those impacted. With flooding remaining a risk, officials are keeping the community updated on changing river conditions and impacts on local infrastructure.
"Floridians must now try to recover from back-to-back 'once-in-a-lifetime' storms," noted Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who stated the state has invoked its largest deployment of National Guardsmen ever to support recovery actions.
The flooding issues are persisting across central and northern Florida, with substantial rain leading to swollen rivers and high water levels, which have delayed recovery for many. Rescues continue as emergency services assist residents caught amid rising floodwaters.
The catastrophic impact of these hurricanes has united communities and organizations across the region. Local residents and national agencies are coming together, galvanizing support and resources to navigate the challenging path to recovery. The spirit of resilience among Floridians shines amid tremendous adversity, demonstrating the commitment to rebuild and recover from these devastating storms.
The dual crises presented by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have established one of the most challenging recovery periods for Florida, as the state adapts to these realities and begins to heal from the destruction left behind. Recovery is expected to be long and arduous, with continued support from both local and national organizations playing a pivotal role.
