Florida is now reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which caused widespread devastation across the state, resulting in at least 16 deaths. Although Florida avoided the catastrophic surge of seawater that was feared, the clean-up operation is expected to take weeks, if not months, for some residents.
The hurricane, ranked as the fifth-most-intense Atlantic hurricane on record, could cost insurers up to $100 billion. President Joe Biden has pledged government support as damage assessment continues. However, the response efforts have become politicized, with Republican Donald Trump criticizing his opponents’ handling of the disaster recovery.
Both presidential candidates are vying for support in the wake of the hurricane, with the history of President George W. Bush’s fallout after Hurricane Katrina serving as a cautionary tale. The Biden administration is calling for additional funding from Congress for relief efforts.
Deadly tornadoes and widespread power outages have added to the chaos, showing the resilience and resolve of Floridians in the face of this double disaster.