Hurricane Milton's Fury: Florida's Double Whammy

Hurricane Milton hit Florida, causing widespread destruction, power outages, and several deaths. The storm's impact was less severe than anticipated but left significant flooding and damage. Recovery efforts are ongoing as rescue teams focus on searching for and assisting stranded individuals across the affected areas.

Hurricane Milton tore into the Atlantic after battering Florida on Thursday, leaving 3 million without power and sparking 150 tornadoes. Despite at least four fatalities, Tampa avoided a direct strike, though heavy rain and wind wreaked havoc across the state.

The storm, categorized as a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall near Siesta Key, causing widespread damage. Authorities warned that increasingly high water levels might persist for days. Governor Ron DeSantis noted the situation could have been worse, as the feared storm surge in Tampa didn't occur, though Sarasota County suffered significant impacts.

The aftermath saw dangerous conditions, prompting officials to enforce safety warnings and urge residents to stay indoors. Emergency operations prioritized rescue missions, while cities assessed overwhelming flooding and damage, underlining the peril still present.

(With inputs from agencies.)