**Hurricane Milton Causes Devastation in Florida**
Residents of Florida are reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The powerful storm, the second major hurricane to hit the state in two weeks, forced millions of people in several counties to evacuate as it approached. The impact of the hurricane was felt particularly hard in Palmetto, where Natasha Ducre and her family returned from a shelter to find their home completely destroyed. The roof had caved in, furniture and belongings ruined by heavy rainwater, leaving the family with no choice but to sleep in their car.
In St. Petersburg, the Tropicana Field Stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball, bore the brunt of the storm as powerful winds and rain tore apart its roof. Stadium workers who had sought shelter inside faced the harrowing experience as they witnessed the destruction unfold. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, with the team acknowledging it may take weeks to fully understand the impact.
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, claiming at least 5 lives and causing widespread chaos. Tornadoes spawned by the storm added to the destruction, leaving over 3 million homes and businesses without power. The central Gulf Coast region, encompassing counties such as Hardee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Manatee, faced the brunt of the power outages.
This devastation comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which previously lashed several southeastern states as a Category 4 storm, resulting in over 220 fatalities. The state of Florida now faces the challenging task of recovery and rebuilding in the wake of these catastrophic events.
The Associated Press provides ongoing coverage of climate and environmental issues, with support from various private foundations. Their commitment to journalistic integrity ensures that accurate and reliable information is disseminated to the public. For more information on AP’s standards and funding sources, visit AP.org.