Residents in various parts of Florida are facing the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, a destructive Category 3 storm that made landfall earlier this week. The hurricane has claimed at least 17 lives and left a trail of destruction in its wake.
In Grove City, Vickie Ward returned to find her neighborhood in ruins, with debris scattered everywhere. She described the scene as heartbreaking, with remnants of previous hurricanes still visible due to debris not being cleared up.
Further south in St. Petersburg, storm chaser Brandon Clement encountered residents standing in front of what used to be their homes, now reduced to piles of debris. The widespread impact of Hurricane Milton has left many areas devastated.
In Daytona Beach, Angie Dooley and her father sought shelter after their apartment was flooded, destroying most of their belongings. They have been displaced and are currently without a permanent place to stay.
Similarly, Rina Tabak's home in Tampa was destroyed during Hurricane Helene, and her temporary refuge at her mother-in-law's house was also severely damaged by Hurricane Milton. The family is now staying in a hotel, facing uncertainty about when they can return home.
Cheryl Bernatowicz in North Port experienced the destruction firsthand as the storm ripped off her home's roof. This was not the first time her home had been damaged by a hurricane, leading her to question whether she wants to continue living in Florida.
As some residents assess the damage, others are being rescued from flooded homes or evacuating due to rising river levels. In Valrico, Ralph Genito and his wife had to be rescued by airboat as their neighborhood flooded from storm surge and river overflow.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister issued evacuation warnings for residents near rivers and creeks as the flooding situation was expected to worsen. The community is coming together to support each other during this challenging time, with many facing uncertainty about the future.
