Florida Communities Face Devastation After Storm Milton

By Jessie Yeung

As the aftermath of Storm Milton continues to unfold across Florida, communities are grappling with the extensive damage left in its wake. Over 24 hours since the storm made landfall, reports describe scenes of utter destruction, with rescue and relief operations underway.

In Fort Pierce, CNN Correspondent Brian Todd reported on the devastation caused by high winds and at least one tornado. He highlighted the power of the storm by showing an overturned 18-wheeler truck, a formidable vehicle that weighs around 18 tons empty and 40 tons when fully loaded. “Just imagine the kind of power and force it took to get this truck in this state,” Todd remarked while pointing to the wreckage.

Authorities in St. Lucie County have confirmed at least six fatalities as they assess the damage. Sheriff Keith Pearson emphasized the storm's ferocity, stating that it “lifted up modular homes and tossed it like it was garbage, like it was nothing.”

Meanwhile, on the Gulf Coast in Siesta Key, where Milton made its initial impact, residents are surrounded by the debris of their lives. CNN Correspondent Randi Kaye reported on a yard cluttered with personal belongings—suitcases, mattresses, televisions, and cherished photographs—scattered amid the chaos. “Talking to these people, they are frustrated, they are angry, they are in tears,” Kaye noted. Many residents feel exhausted by the relentless storms, with the recent one-two punch from Storms Milton and Helene leaving them on edge. “They don’t know when they’re going to get hit, if they’re going to be spared … they feel like they need a fortress in order to survive here.”

For ongoing updates on the situation, follow me on Twitter at @dark_web24.