Each year, Florida is impacted by 1 to 3 hurricanes each year. Usually, when a hurricane hits, it destroys everything in its way. Storms such as this cause Florida to flood, furniture to break, homes to collapse, trees to fall, and the power to go out. In the aftermath, Florida is left with a great deal of damage. Florida’s usual category 4-5 hurricanes typically cost upwards of billions of dollars in repair costs. With 3 million people losing power, 16 dead, 30 injured, many flood rescues, and around 125 homes lost, Hurricane Milton is the worst recorded in decades.
Although local police stations gave evacuation orders, many people could not afford to leave their homes because of gas prices, traffic, no safe destination, and fear for their pets and homes. However, it is hazardous to stay home, as houses were flooded, destroyed, and under threat of collapse. Weeks before, Hurricane Helene passed through and ravaged the state. Hurricane Milton has proved even worse.
Many locals have driven north to their second residence homes or families, but some have been stuck in hotels for weeks. Schools are closed, impacting students’ educations and leaving many without proper resources and surroundings for an academic environment. At category 5, the winds are at 180 mph, and the pressure has dropped to 897 millibars. These conditions make this hurricane one of the most intense hurricanes since 2005. Hurricane Milton even caused Disney World to close, the eleventh closure in history.
Some people in Florida have invested in “Hurricane Proof” houses made of materials that resist heavy rain and winds. The house can move around a bit but should not collapse. These houses are standard in Florida– since people cannot hide in their basements due to flooding and cannot go to the highest floor for fear of collapse.
Although many people have insurance on their homes, furniture, cars, property, and more, many insurances will not cover everything and will make families pay a fortune for repairs. Such prices leave low-income families in inadequate financial situations. Building companies will be occupied for the subsequent months. Once the damage is repaired, debts are paid, and houses are rebuilt, Florida will resume its “Sunshine State” life. That is, until the next hurricane.
