Vickie Ward arrived back at her Grove City, Florida, neighborhood on Friday, finding little more than piles of debris where homes once stood.
“There’s stuff in our yard that doesn’t even belong to us; it’s debris from Hurricane Helene that still hasn’t been picked up,” Ward said, reflecting on the devastation in her coastal community, located about an hour northwest of Fort Myers.
Ward is one of thousands of Floridians returning home to survey the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall earlier this week as a Category 3 storm. The hurricane has claimed at least 17 lives and wreaked havoc on homes, roads, and power lines.
In St. Petersburg, storm chaser Brandon Clement witnessed residents standing in front of what used to be their homes, now reduced to rubble. “It’s a heartbreaking sight. Milton was a catastrophic hurricane that affected a wide area,” he said.
Seeking Shelter Amidst Destruction 
Angie Dooley, 20, and her father are looking for shelter after their Daytona Beach apartment was inundated. “The water reached knee-high if you were sitting on the couch,” she described, noting that most of their belongings, including cherished baby photos, were destroyed.
After fleeing their apartment early Thursday, the duo spent the night in their car and a hotel but have no reservations for Friday. “I’m just taking it day by day,” said her father, Scott.
Rina Tabak evacuated her home in Tampa by boat during Hurricane Helene, thinking her family would be safe at her mother-in-law's house nearby. However, that home was also severely damaged by Milton, with parts of the roof collapsing. Now, her family is in a hotel, knowing it may take months before either home is livable again. “I just want a safe place to settle,” she said. “I’m done with hurricanes for this year.”
Residents Question Their Future in Florida
In North Port, Cheryl Bernatowicz had prepared for flooding but never expected strong winds to rip off her roof. “The concrete posts for the carports were pulled right out of the ground,” she said. After having just finished repairs from Hurricane Ian in 2022, she’s contemplating leaving Florida altogether. “This is my fourth hurricane, and I’ve been devastated each time. It leaves a bad taste,” she shared.
Ongoing Evacuations and Rising Waters
While some residents begin assessing damage, others are still evacuating. In Valrico, east of Tampa, Ralph Genito and his wife quickly packed essentials into trash bags as their neighborhood flooded from storm surge and rising river levels. Sheriff’s deputies assisted them using an airboat.
“This area isn’t supposed to flood,” Genito lamented, watching as the Alafia River rose dramatically. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister urged residents near rivers to evacuate, warning that conditions would worsen.
As the waters rose quickly, Genito’s daughter’s small home was submerged. Although his own house remained mostly untouched, he couldn’t stay, as crucial systems were compromised. “I feel for everyone going through this. Nobody expects it to happen to them,” he said, tears in his eyes.
Residents are grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, facing uncertainty as they seek safety and stability in a landscape forever altered.
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