Hurricane Milton finally made landfall on the evening of Oct. 9 in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, heading past the state’s east coast before dispersing over the Atlantic.
Initially reported as an impending Category 5 hurricane, within twenty-four hours, Hurricane Milton weakened to a Category 3 before arriving on the shores of Florida. About 17 casualties in total have been reported. Six fatalities confirmed in St. Lucie County were revealed to be caused by tornadoes that developed as part of the storm. Another 11 deaths were in the surrounding areas of St. Petersburg, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Orange counties as a result of Hurricane Milton.
As of Saturday, Oct. 12, an estimated 1.4 million homes and businesses are still without power. The gas shortage continues, too with about 29% of gas stations being out of commission in Florida. The damages caused by the multiple outbreaks of tornadoes and Hurricane Milton are expected to cost billions of dollars in repairs. An estimated 150 homes were reported to be destroyed, as photos circulating online showed a 500 ft. construction crane being impaled into a building and the roof of the Tropicana Bay baseball stadium being ripped into shreds.
Non-profit organizations, such as Active Hope, are working with the government and other private entities to assist Floridians with food, house repairs and supplies. Meanwhile, search and rescue teams are continuing in their pursuit of survivors stranded in the debris and flood waters in the Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Over 6,500 National Guardsmen, 500 high-water vehicles and a dozen watercraft from 12 states are assembled in the recovery process, as announced by the Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder.
San Antonio intends to support these disaster relief efforts by deploying the SA Fire Department, CPS Energy and the American Red Cross. Around 16 San Antonio Fire Department members and 11 individuals from CPS Energy have traveled to Florida to assist in the aftermath of the hurricane. On Wednesday, the SA Red Cross declared an urgency for volunteers who can travel to Florida. They held two training sessions this past week on Wednesday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 12, intending to teach volunteers the necessary skills to help emergency shelters and survivors of the hurricane.
The executive director of the Red Cross Greater San Antonio Chapter, Dr. Daniel Martinez also stated they needed assistance in, “Everything from spiritual care, mental health care to working a shelter to providing meals. All that is wrapped up into these academies in a fast track so that anyone who wants to volunteer can deploy right away.” Martinez emphasized the need for volunteers as he anticipates the recovery process will be ongoing until March due to the catastrophe from both Hurricane Milton and Helene.
