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(800) 775-7876Hurricane Milton was an incredibly powerful and destructive storm, ranking as the second-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico, surpassed only by Hurricane Rita in 2005. Milton landed on Florida’s west coast weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged the Big Bend region. As the thirteenth named storm, ninth hurricane, and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, Milton stands as the strongest tropical cyclone of the year globally.
With Florida under a state of emergency, widespread evacuations were ordered, and preparations extended to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The hurricane unleashed a deadly tornado outbreak and severe flooding across Florida, claiming at least 35 lives—32 in the U.S. and three in Mexico. Preliminary estimates peg the storm’s damage at $85 billion, making it the fifth-costliest tropical cyclone on record.
Hurricane Milton brought widespread devastation to Florida’s peninsula with intense winds and flooding. Sustained winds reached 92 mph in Venice, with gusts up to 107 mph in Sarasota. Coastal cities like Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, and Orlando also faced gusts between 86-99 mph. Along with the powerful winds, heavy rainfall hit areas like St. Petersburg and Tampa, with St. Petersburg seeing nearly 19 inches of rain, pushing Tampa to its wettest year on record. A storm surge of 5-10 feet was recorded along the Gulf Coast, with Sarasota seeing over 8 feet of rising waters.
The storm’s destruction led to tragic losses, with 19 people confirmed dead across various counties, including St. Lucie, Volusia, and Pinellas. Milton also triggered deadly EF3 tornadoes in Wellington, injuring 10 people. In addition, the collapse of construction cranes and roofs, including the roof at Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, added to the extensive damage. Homes, apartments, and key infrastructure were severely impacted, with more than 3 million buildings and homes losing power, and emergency responders rescuing over 1,000 people and 105 animals from life-threatening conditions.
Beyond the immediate destruction, sinkholes opened in several counties, including Polk and Orange City, swallowing vehicles and roads. In Hillsborough County, a sinkhole led to further complications as power outages affected over 500,000 residents. As of mid-October, the damage estimate for Hurricane Milton’s aftermath was set at $85 billion, marking one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history.
[VIDEO] First, contact a water-damage restoration company, such as PuroClean, as soon as possible. Don’t wait, as water can cause mold and irremediable damage to the wood, walls, and carpet in your home. Then, contact your insurance company to start the claim process. If safe, shut off the utilities in your home to avoid further damage. Don’t enter your home if it has suffered structural damage. Don’t walk through floodwater if electricity hasn’t been turned off, and avoid contaminants.
