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Hurricane Milton devastated homes when it made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Sarasota, Florida, Wednesday evening, killing at least five people. The Category 1 hurricane-impacted communities that were still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which impacted Florida and other southern states just one week prior.
Tropical storm conditions and storm surge warnings are still in effect throughout parts of the southeastern U.S. coast, with a warning in place from Sebastian Inlet Florida to South Carolina, according to an advisory by the National Hurricane Center. More than 3 million customers in Florida alone are without power.
To help with the damage, disaster survivors are receiving $750 in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to pay for immediate needs.
More than 8,000 federal personnel are assisting throughout the Southeast, and FEMA has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water prepared, the White House said Wednesday.
If you’d like to help, here are some organizations assisting survivors.
International Medical Corps
The International Medical Corps is responding to Hurricane Milton through its emergency response team, which arrived before the hurricane made landfall. The organization is working with the Department of Health to best assist those in need. You can donate here.
Florida Disaster Fund
The Florida Disaster Fund is a private fund by the state of Florida that provides assistance during periods of emergency or disaster. Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are then dispersed to other service organizations that help individuals.
Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding Tampa Bay, a food rescue and distribution organization, has supported the community with more than 500,000 meals at 56 emergency distribution centers in the most affected areas. They are asking for volunteers and donations—both in the form of food and cash. You can find out more information about their efforts here.
Save the Children
Save the Children is providing families with diapers, baby wipes, and other emergency child-focused supplies in the aftermath of the hurricane. The organization said they are working with local education partners to assist with the restoration of child care centers, and are assessing the mental health impacts of the hurricane on children. Donations can be made to the Children’s Emergency Fund.
Metropolitan Ministries
Metropolitan Ministries, a nonprofit working to assist the homeless, is providing assistance to families in the form of hot meals, essential supplies, and safe shelter. Donations can be made here.
The Humane Society of the United States
The organization’s animal rescue team is working to make sure that cats and dogs have a safe place to stay, and that animal shelters have sufficient food, resources, and veterinary care in the aftermath of Milton. The organization previously flew animals from Tampa-area shelters to another location in Florida’s panhandle that is safer. You can donate here.
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen has been sending thousands of gallons of water and fresh food to hard-hit areas in the southeast in the aftermath of Helene and Milton. The organization says it is currently operating in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. You can make a financial contribution here.
As Hurricane Milton barreled into and across Florida, it spawned dozens of tornadoes, knocked out power to millions, damaged homes, flooded neighborhoods, and led to hundreds of rescues. But the damage wasn’t as bad as had been feared.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said that while the storm “was significant,” it “was not the worst-case scenario.” He noted that as he flew over some of the hard-hit areas, he saw that many homes that were built in recent years fared well.
“I’ve seen a lot of grit, I’ve seen a lot of determination and I’m very confident that this area is going to bounce back very, very quickly,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Sarasota, near where the storm made landfall on the Gulf Coast
The storm caused at least eight deaths in the state, where some communities were still dealing with the damage from deadly Hurricane Helene two weeks ago.
Follow The Associated Press’ coverage of tropical weather at https://apnews.com/hub/hurricanes.
Where did Milton make landfall, and where did it go next?
Milton came ashore Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm in Siesta Key, a barrier island of white sand beaches about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of the Tampa Bay area.
While the Tampa Bay area, home to over 3.3 million people, was spared a direct hit, there was still flooding and damage.
By Thursday afternoon, Milton had moved off Florida’s east coast and became a post-tropical cyclone that no longer had hurricane-force winds.
How bad is the damage?
Officials in hard-hit counties have warned people to beware of downed power lines, trees in roads, blocked bridges, and flooding. Before Milton even made landfall, heavy rain, and tornadoes lashed parts of southern Florida.
The storm knocked out power across a large section of the state, leaving over 3 million homes and businesses without electricity, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports. By 9 p.m., that had dropped to 2.8 million.
In St. Petersburg, a crane working on a 46-story building toppled and a water main break led the city to shut down service. Also, the roof of Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, was destroyed.
Just inland from Tampa, the flooding in Plant City was “absolutely staggering,” according to City Manager Bill McDaniel.
The National Weather Service said almost 19 inches (48 centimeters) of rain fell in the St. Petersburg area.
A manufacturer of IV fluids critical to hospitals nationwide said its Daytona Beach factory and distribution center were left intact after Milton.
How did people die in the hurricane?
Officials were reporting at least eight deaths as of Thursday.
Five people were killed when a tornado hit the Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, on the Atlantic Coast, authorities said.
In Volusia County, a 79-year-old woman in Ormond Beach and a 54-year-old woman in Port Orange died after trees crashed into their homes, the sheriff’s office said.
And in Tampa, police said the body of a woman in her 70s was found Thursday morning under a large tree branch.
DeSantis said in the afternoon that search-and-rescue operations were ongoing, with at least 340 people and 49 pets rescued so far.
How strong was Milton?
It reached Category 5 strength with winds of 180 mph (290 kph) while still in the Gulf of Mexico, but then encountered wind shear nearing land that dropped it to Category 3 — less powerful but plenty strong. At landfall, maximum sustained winds were measured at 120 mph (about 205 kph).
Storm surge — one of the most devastating elements of any hurricane — was believed to top out at 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) in Sarasota County. That was less than feared. By comparison, Hurricane Ian’s 15-foot (4.6-meter) storm surge devastated the community of Fort Myers Beach two years ago.
Some might wonder if it is possible to control extreme weather events. But scientists say hurricanes are too powerful for that, and climate change is providing more fuel than ever for storms like Milton and Helene.
What if I have plans to vacation in Florida?
Three major theme parks in the Orlando area — Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld — all closed as Milton approached but planned to reopen on Friday.
Several airports ceased operations as well. Orlando International Airport — the nation’s seventh busiest and Florida’s most trafficked — began receiving some domestic arrivals Thursday evening and said domestic and international departures would resume the following morning.
The Orlando airport said it sustained only minor damage, including a few leaks and downed trees.
Tampa’s airport planned to reopen Friday morning. Milton damaged six jet bridges used to board planes, and crews were repairing leaks in the main terminal.