Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated Florida, Hurricane Milton made landfall. This hurricane, which developed at an unusually rapid pace according to climate scientists, caused significant destruction along Florida’s vulnerable Gulf Coast, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and leaving over 2 million people without power.
The impending arrival of Hurricane Milton prompted a massive evacuation, a move that authorities believe saved lives. However, not everyone could escape the storm’s path, leading to several inspiring rescue stories from first responders.
In St. Lucie County, dozens of tornadoes knocked down power lines and tore off roofs, while storm surges across the state flooded roadways, raising warnings about alligators and stingrays potentially lurking in the water. Beachfront properties, particularly in Clearwater, experienced severe damage, losing substantial portions of shoreline, while heavy rainfall inundated cities like Tampa and Sarasota.
In addition to flooding, Milton’s winds uprooted trees, crushing homes and causing structural collapses. Photos and videos captured streets littered with debris, swimming pools filled with sand, and remnants of what were once family homes.
Recovery efforts are now underway, focusing on cleanup and rebuilding—a challenging task as Florida remains in the midst of hurricane season. Families are attempting to salvage whatever they can from the wreckage, including treasured personal items like wedding albums, while volunteers and local agencies are stepping up to provide support and resources. For many Floridians unable to return to their homes and businesses, the storm continues to impose both financial and emotional burdens.
Below are images from the aftermath of Hurricane Milton:
Residents survey burned-out buildings at the Beachaven Villas in Sarasota.
Residents survey burned-out buildings at the Beachaven Villas in Sarasota. (Eva Marie Uzcategui for Washington Post via Getty Images)
Neighbors distribute food to residents in St. Petersburg.
Neighbors distribute food in St. Petersburg. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)
A swimming pool’s handrails are almost buried after sand filled the pool in the Siesta Key area.
A swimming pool’s handrails are nearly buried after the pool was filled with beach sand in the Siesta Key area. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A mobile home is crushed following a tornado in Port St. Lucie.
A crushed mobile home after a tornado hit in Port St. Lucie. (Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP via Getty Images)
A destroyed home in St. Pete Beach.
A destroyed home in St. Pete Beach. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)
A small airplane lies upside down at Venice Municipal Airport.
An airplane flipped upside down at the Venice Municipal Airport. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Debris fills the courtyard of the Thunderbird Beach Resort in Treasure Island.
Debris fills the courtyard of the Thunderbird Beach Resort in Treasure Island. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)
A woman gestures at the apartment complex manager after residents were denied access to their homes following flooding in Clearwater.
A woman shouts and gestures at the apartment complex manager after authorities refused to let residents access their homes after flooding in Clearwater. (Julio Cortez/AP)
A man discovers a water-damaged wedding photo album among the debris in his yard in Englewood.
A man finds a water-damaged album of wedding photos in the debris swept into his yard in Englewood. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
Aerial views show destroyed beach houses after Hurricane Milton in Manasota Key.
A drone view shows destroyed beach houses in Manasota Key. (Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters)
Beachgoers sit near a demolished lifeguard station on Venice beach.
Beachgoers sit in front of a destroyed lifeguard building on the beach in Venice, Fla.
