Hurricane Milton

Graphic by Katie Park

Hurricane Milton struck the West Coast of Florida as an unprecedented category three hurricane on Oct. 9, primarily affecting the Siesta Key region with wind speeds of 120 mph. The hurricane fueled flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damages in regions across Florida. Residents of Florida reported over 140 accounts of compromised pumps and exacerbating flooding conditions. At the same time, approximately 75 percent of Pinellas County faced severe power outages during the hurricane. 

Before Hurricane Milton landed on the coast of Florida, the region had already experienced significant damage from Hurricane Helene just weeks earlier. Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on Florida’s infrastructure with its relentless rain and wind, forcing thousands to abandon their homes. However, with the cumulative threat and damage of back-to-back hurricanes, there was minimal time for safety precautions and evacuation. Following the improvised precautions by state officials, many residents were faced with the life-or-death stakes of the situation. Dorothy Brooks, 76-year-old, recounted being “trapped” in her home during the storm. 

“The storm surge came up so quickly and was rushing like a river so I couldn’t open the door. I finally got a window open to get out of the house, but the water was over three feet deep,” she said. “I held onto the window frame looking for help and saw my neighbors being swept down the street by the strong current. One of my neighbors spent 14 hours on the top of her pickup before she could be rescued. I knew Hurricane Helene was coming … But I couldn’t get a hotel, so I just stayed home.” Brooks’s accounts share one of the many anecdotes of residents in the region who were forced to endure the violent nature of the storm at home as they were unable to seek sufficient shelter. 

For others, the experiences of Hurricane Milton were far more severe.  Laury McKenna, another resident of Florida, shared her experience the day Hurricane Milton landed in the region. 

“It was awful at my house — everything was destroyed,” she said. “I knew I needed to go someplace — I hadn’t eaten for three days and I knew I needed help.” However, despite these adversities, public and private rescue organizations, such as the Red Cross, have been instrumental in aiding. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, state and federal emergency services have commenced recovery initiatives around Florida. For instance, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed rescue units, such as medical assistance, and supplies, including water and food, to minimize casualties caused by Hurricane Milton. 

Concurrently, charitable organizations like the Red Cross have been particularly vital in supporting vulnerable populations, including the elderly. Kirk Herschell, an elderly resident in Florida, explained the immediate assistance he received from the Red Cross as crucial in his time of enduring the crisis.

Local nonprofits have also supported the region's revitalization by donating supply blankets, food, and hygiene kits to those in need. The aid provided by the Red Cross and local non-profits stabilizes the lives of residents affected by the hurricane and restores a sense of security and community throughout the region. These instances demonstrate how unified support fosters resilience and hope in the aftermath of such a devastating Hurricane. 

The formidable impacts of Hurricane Milton, cumulated with the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, underscores the importance of preparation, swift response, and community resilience in the face of natural afflictions. Stories such as Dorothy Brooks and Kirk Herchell emphasize the significance of this issue and the urgent need for support for those in similar conditions. Despite these hardships, the collective effort by organizations, including the Red Cross and the FEMA, to revitalize the region highlights the importance of unity and resilience. However, the requirement for aid in this situation is never limited; indeed, only through collective effort can we ensure Florida – and other hurricane-prone regions – are sufficiently ready to combat the impacts of such hurricanes in the future.