Overview

• Hurricane Milton brought over a foot of rain to parts of Florida, causing rivers and streams to remain above flood stage nearly a week after landfall.
• At least 24 deaths have been reported due to the storm, which also resulted in more than 1,000 water rescues, including 700 in the Tampa area alone.
• Satellite images reveal significant damage to coastal areas, with entire neighborhoods in Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island heavily impacted by storm surge and flooding.
• Milton's impact is compounded by the recent Hurricane Helene, leaving communities like Cortez and Manasota Key dealing with extensive debris and structural damage.
• Federal aid totaling $612 million has been authorized to support recovery efforts in Florida and North Carolina, as power restoration continues across affected regions.