TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update on the extensive damage left by Hurricane Milton.

West-central Florida, including Plant City, experienced severe flooding, described by City Manager Bill McDaniel as unprecedented. Rescue efforts are underway, particularly in Volusia County, where high water teams are working in South Daytona.

Tampa police successfully rescued 15 people from a damaged home, and in Lee County, roads remain blocked due to fallen trees, downed power lines, and flooding. Recovery operations are ongoing as the state assesses the full extent of the storm’s impact.

8 Key Takeaways from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Update on Hurricane Milton
  1. Power Restoration Efforts: The state is working to restore power after millions of outages caused by the storm.
  2. Fatalities Reported: Severe weather, including tornadoes, claimed at least four lives in St. Lucie County.
  3. Cyclone Impact: Hurricane Milton made landfall with 120 mph winds, impacting Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Myers.
  4. Storm Surge Less Severe: The worst storm surge, 8 to 10 feet, occurred in Sarasota County, but wasn’t as catastrophic as expected.
  5. Heavy Rainfall: Parts of the state received up to 18 inches of rain.
  6. Flooding Concerns: Significant flooding has been reported, especially in rivers like St. Johns.
  7. Rescue Operations: High-water rescue teams were active, particularly in South Daytona and Tampa, where police rescued 15 people.
  8. Road Conditions: Many roads in areas like Lee County are flooded or blocked by debris.