Florida Hurricane Death Toll and Total Losses

 According to initial reports from local authorities, the death toll has now reached 55, with the number likely to rise as rescue operations continue. Around 120 injured people are being treated in hospitals, many of them in critical condition. More than 500,000 people have fled their homes and are being housed in temporary emergency centres.

Some villages and rural areas have been the hardest hit, with rescue teams struggling to reach them due to blocked roads and flooding, raising fears that the death toll could rise in the coming days. Thousands of residents have also fled their homes and are seeking shelter in emergency centres set up by authorities.

Several neighbourhoods, including the rural Zephyrhills neighbourhood, were cut off from the world immediately after the hurricane, with fallen trees blocking roads leading to the area, preventing aid from reaching some residents. Rescuers were also forced to use boats to extract elderly people from their homes.

On Friday evening, residents of Tampa received a warning message for those living in low-lying areas and near rivers and lakes, stating that they must “evacuate immediately,” noting that most roads are closed, so those displaced should find safe routes out of dangerous areas.

Property damage

The property damage from Hurricane Milton has not yet been accurately determined, but initial estimates indicate that the total economic damage caused by Hurricane Milton could reach $15 billion, with this number expected to increase once the full assessment is completed.

Infrastructure was mainly affected, with approximately 20,000 homes completely destroyed, and 200,000 buildings, including homes and businesses, were damaged. Many streets and farms were flooded. More than 50 bridges were reported to have been damaged or destroyed, complicating travel in the affected areas and paralyzing transportation in large parts of the state.

It is estimated that approximately 40,000 businesses were destroyed or severely damaged, exposing their owners to significant losses.

According to initial reports from local authorities, the death toll has now reached 55, with the number likely to rise as rescue operations continue. Around 120 injured people are being treated in hospitals, many of them in critical condition. More than 500,000 people have fled their homes and are being housed in temporary emergency centres.

Some villages and rural areas have been the hardest hit, with rescue teams struggling to reach them due to blocked roads and flooding, raising fears that the death toll could rise in the coming days. Thousands of residents have also fled their homes and are seeking shelter in emergency centres set up by authorities.

Several neighbourhoods, including the rural Zephyrhills neighbourhood, were cut off from the world immediately after the hurricane, with fallen trees blocking roads leading to the area, preventing aid from reaching some residents. Rescuers were also forced to use boats to extract elderly people from their homes.

On Friday evening, residents of Tampa received a warning message for those living in low-lying areas and near rivers and lakes, stating that they must “evacuate immediately,” noting that most roads are closed, so those displaced should find safe routes out of dangerous areas.

Property damage

The property damage from Hurricane Milton has not yet been accurately determined, but initial estimates indicate that the total economic damage caused by Hurricane Milton could reach $15 billion, with this number expected to increase once the full assessment is completed.

Infrastructure was mainly affected, with approximately 20,000 homes completely destroyed, and 200,000 buildings including homes and businesses damaged. Many streets and farms were flooded. More than 50 bridges were reported to have been damaged or destroyed, complicating travel in the affected areas and paralyzing transportation in large parts of the state.

It is estimated that approximately 40,000 businesses were destroyed or severely damaged, exposing their owners to significant losses.