At least 16 dead and more than $60 billion in damage in Florida from Hurricane Milton

The consequences of Hurricane Milton appear three days after its passage through the state of Florida: deadly tornadoes, severe flooding, at least 16 deaths and more than 2.9 million people still without electricity. The damage is estimated at 60 billion dollars (around 55 billion euros).

Despite all the damage, residents are grateful for its “slight impact” and assure that “it could have been worse”. However, Florida authorities on Thursday asked affected communities not to take to the streets for now as flooding continues, even though the cyclone has already left the state behind after crossing from the west is.

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), said Hillsborough County on the west-central coast, or parts of the state’s eastern and central coast, continue to be flooded. “The roads are flooded and there is always the possibility of unsafe conditions occurring. Do not cross them on foot or by car,” Guthrie warned.

Milton, who maintains the threat of storm surgehit central Florida with torrential rains and strong winds, after making landfall this Wednesday evening on the state’s west coast as a major hurricane, category 3and ends at 205 kilometers per hour.

Deadly tornadoes, floods and no power

Six of the deaths occurred in St. Lucie County on the Treasure Coast, the result of Milton-related tornadoes that forced the issuance of 116 tornado warningsas stated by the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis.

Milton, now an extratropical phenomenon, left Florida after crossing the state from west to east, although experts warn the East Coast could still see heavy rain and storm surge.

US President Joe Biden said that the measures implemented to save lives “made the difference”but warned that it was still too early to assess the full damage caused by the hurricane.

Biden also urged his predecessor in office and current Republican White House nominee, Donald Trump, to abandon misinformation about the government’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “Get a life, man. Help these people.”Biden said, speaking directly to Trump during an appearance at the White House.

The National Weather Service had to declare a flood emergency sudden onset in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties on Florida’s west-central coast due to intense rainfall recorded, with accumulated rainfall of more than 17 inches and powerful winds that uprooted trees and roofs.

Nearly 7.3 million Floridians residing in fifteen counties had received mandatory evacuation orders, an evacuation reinforced by the message that it was a “matter of life and death”, as conveyed Biden on Wednesday.

Damage claims after Milton passes along Florida’s Gulf Coast could impact insurers between $50 billion and $60 billion, according to industry estimates, which are prepared to absorb those figures, according to industry estimates. different estimates provided namely this Thursday.

This cost will, however, have repercussions on the global insurance sector, notes Insurance Business magazine, which brings this figure to 60 billion dollars.