Hurricane Milton.Photo: from open sources
The scale of the destruction
Florida continues to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which killed at least 16 people. According to local authorities, on Friday, rescue services were clearing fallen trees and restoring power in the affected areas. The hurricane, which turned out to be one of the most powerful in history, caused significant damage, and analysts estimate that total losses could reach up to $100 billion for insurers, Reuters reported.
Eyewitness testimonies
Residents of western St Petersburg, such as 25-year-old Chase Pierce, testified to terrifying moments during the storm. “It opens your eyes to what Mother Nature can do,” he says, recalling watching transformers explode and power lines fall.
Political games
As Florida struggles to recover from the devastating impact of the hurricane, the political situation is heating up. Former President Donald Trump, who is currently losing in the polls to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, has not held back his criticism of the federal government. He said that the administration had not provided adequate assistance to the victims, particularly in North Carolina, which was also affected by Hurricane Helene. “The federal government has failed in its responsibilities,” Trump said in his statement.
Vice President Harris responded to the criticism by noting that Trump was speculating on human tragedies. “Unfortunately, we are seeing political games that are not helping the people who are suffering from the effects of the hurricane,” she said in her speech.
Photo: slovoidilo.
Problems with recovery
While the Biden administration is promising federal support, local officials warn that recovery could take weeks or even months. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis noted that while the state has avoided the worst-case scenario, the damage is still significant. According to PowerOutage.us, approximately 2.75 million homes and businesses are without power, and in some regions, people are waiting for power to be restored after Hurricane Helene.
Florida is facing a double disaster: Hurricane Milton and the political games that accompany this tragedy. Local residents and rescuers are working to rebuild, but the challenges they face are enormous. Meanwhile, the political debate about recovery and support continues, trying not to forget the people who are suffering from the effects of the disaster.
