ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. – On Sunday, President Joe Biden made his second trip to Florida in just over a week to examine the damage caused by severe storms, as the state continues to struggle with widespread power outages, shortages of gas, and ongoing flooding following the devastating Hurricane Milton.

After surveying the damaged coastal areas and the torn roof of a major sports venue from the sky, Biden spoke in St. Pete Beach, one of many towns along Florida’s west-central coast affected by the back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton.

He acknowledged that while the state avoided the worst predicted impacts, Milton still caused significant destruction, flooding entire neighborhoods, destroying homes, and resulting in at least 17 fatalities.

“Thankfully, the storm didn’t turn out as disastrous as we anticipated,” Biden noted. “However, for many, it was catastrophic. These individuals didn’t just lose their homes; tragically, some lost their lives and their cherished belongings.”

On Saturday, Biden authorized a disaster declaration, unlocking federal aid for those impacted by Milton. This includes assistance for temporary housing, home repairs, and loans. On Sunday, he reported that more than 250,000 Floridians applied for assistance in just one day – a record for any single day in U.S. history.

The president also announced an extra $612 million to aid communities affected by the recent hurricanes, which features $47 million for Gainesville Regional Utilities and another $47 million for Florida Power and Light, aimed at restoring power and enhancing the resilience of the power grid.

“This is a collective effort, everyone. Your actions have truly made a difference and helped save lives,” Biden stated before concluding his remarks. “Still, there is much more to accomplish. We will do all we can to restore power to your homes and assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

920K still without electricity after Hurricane Milton

Countless homes and businesses across Florida were still in the dark on Sunday, days after Hurricane Milton caused widespread chaos and at least 17 fatalities.

On Sunday, over 920,000 utility customers reported outages, as per a YSL News power outage tracker. Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater, had the highest number of outages with more than 567,000 households and businesses still without power—nearly half of all utility accounts in the county.

Since Milton began impacting the state on Wednesday, teams of linemen from 43 states and Canada have worked tirelessly to restore power for over 2 million residents, Biden stated.

Rising floodwaters post-Milton threaten communities throughout Florida

The heavy rains from Milton continued to affect localities on Sunday, with officials warning of rising floodwaters and swollen rivers that are expected to increase in the upcoming days. Some waterways have even reached record highs.

Flood warnings were issued in numerous counties, including Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, Citrus, Levy, DeSoto, Alachua, Volusia, and Seminole, as reported by the weather service.

In the Tampa Bay Area, Cypress Creek was recorded at 15 feet on Sunday, surpassing the former flood record of 13.8 feet set in 2004, according to the National Weather Service.

The Hillsborough River at a state park northeast of Tampa also broke records, reaching 15.9 feet, well over the previous highest mark of 14.7 feet established in 1960. Flooding has covered roads in the Crystal Springs area, leaving residents unable to leave their homes.

In Seminole County, just north of Orlando, authorities warned residents to monitor the rising levels of the Saint Johns River.

“Levels have reached major flood stage, with a likelihood of nearing record highs in the next week or two,” the weather service in Melbourne stated, urging those in Volusia and Seminole counties to prepare for extended severe flood impacts over the coming weeks.”

St. Pete Beach residents uplifted by Biden’s visit

Paul Giardina, who splits his time in St. Pete Beach, expressed his joy at the president’s visit, hoping it will accelerate recovery efforts. Giardina resides in a small condo building of seven units near where Biden planned to speak, right in front of a house that collapsed. His property sustained minor damage from both Helene and Milton.

While Helene caused about half an inch of water to enter his building, damaging a bed and carpets, Milton only dislodged some roof shingles. Giardina feels fortunate that the storms didn’t inflict more harm, recognizing that a nearby house lost its roof and another condo complex had over three feet of water inside.

“We were among the lucky ones,” he remarked.

Cathi Perkins, the emergency management director for Pinellas County, which includes St. Pete Beach, reported that about half of the county remained without power on Sunday. She described the community as weary and frustrated, though she noted it was reassuring to know that further assistance is on the way.

“We’re extremely grateful for the support from both state and federal authorities in aiding us and providing necessary resources,” Perkins stated. “It’s meaningful for residents to see that they aren’t left to fend for themselves.”

Flooding from Milton leaves residents stranded in their homes

In a New Port Richey neighborhood, residents have been confined indoors for days as rising floodwaters turned numerous roads impassable.

The flooding reached heights of up to 3 feet in some areas, resulting in a tragic incident where two elderly individuals became trapped in their car while trying to navigate a neighborhood road. The 82-year-old man managed to survive, but the 88-year-old woman who was with him tragically lost her life.

Neighbors expressed their shock at the event, prompting many to opt to remain indoors rather than attempt to wade through the floodwaters. Most homes in that area still had electricity.

“We’re all starting to feel a bit stir-crazy,” said resident Emily Archer, who has been distributing supplies to locals using her lifted Jeep.

– Elena Barrera, Tallahassee Democrat

‘I’m done’: After both Helene and Milton, resident considers leaving Florida

Lance and Nichol Fountaine relocated to Siesta Key from Tennessee in 2020, taking advantage of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While they cherish their island lifestyle and community, they are now exhausted and frustrated after their house has flooded six times in just over a year, leading them to think about relocating. Nichol Fountaine admits she suffers from PTSD due to the recurrent flooding, with each storm triggering anxiety for her.

Hurricane Helene’s surge was particularly devastating, bringing in 3 feet of water to their three-bedroom home built in the 1960s. Hurricane Milton compounded their troubles, delivering an additional 2 feet of flooding when it hit Siesta Key on Wednesday.

“I’m done,” Nichol said. “I love it here, I’ll come to visit, but I can’t continue living like this.”

Sarasota-Bradenton Airport to reopen Wednesday after $10M renovation

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Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will stay shut until at least Wednesday due to wind damage from Hurricane Milton, which affected two roof sections over the main concourse, according to airport officials.

Rick Piccolo, the airport’s CEO, informed the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, part of the YSL News Network, that repair work is ongoing and the airport aims to resume passenger flights by 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Private aviation using smaller aircraft is already operational at the airport. The parking lots and car rental services are also available.

“I estimate the damage at a minimum of $10 million, possibly even more,” Piccolo noted. “We’ve got debris, parts of the roof blown away, and numerous hangars that are either severely damaged or completely destroyed.”

– Samantha Gholar and Jesse Mendoza, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

What is the estimated cost of Milton’s damage?

Initial assessments indicate that Hurricane Milton’s damage might reach $50 billion, as stated by Biden on Friday. However, the overall cost, considering property loss and economic impact, could surpass $160 billion, based on AccuWeather’s projections, which include factors like long-term health care costs for survivors and disruptions to businesses.

“Milton is expected to be one of the most destructive and impactful storms in Florida’s history, alongside Hurricane Helene, which had damages and economic losses estimated between $225-250 billion just two weeks prior,” AccuWeather reported.

Since 1980, hurricanes have incurred over $1.3 trillion in damages. Each event typically results in about $22.8 billion in losses, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office for Coastal Management.

Biden’s schedule for Florida visit

• 9:30 a.m.: Biden lands in Tampa at MacDill Air Force Base
• 9:45 a.m.: The president departs Tampa, participating in an aerial assessment of the affected regions on his way to St. Petersburg
• 10:15 a.m.: Biden reaches St. Petersburg at Albert Whitted Airport.
• 10:45 a.m.: The president receives an operational update from federal, state, and local officials in St. Pete Beach.
• 11 a.m.: Biden meets first responders and local community members
• 11:30 a.m.: The president makes a public statement
• 1:05 p.m.: Biden departs Florida heading to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Biden’s prior visit to Florida occurred post-Hurricane Helene

Just nine days ago, President Joe Biden last visited Florida following Hurricane Helene.

On October 3, he arrived to survey the damage, converse with residents and first responders, and receive a briefing on the storm’s effects, which devastated Taylor County—a sparsely populated area in Florida’s Big Bend region that had experienced three hurricanes in one year.

He arrived at Tallahassee International Airport via Air Force One before transitioning to Marine One for an aerial tour of Helene’s landfall site. After landing at Perry airport, he was driven to Keaton Beach, which sustained the most intense storm surge from Helene.

Biden, wearing a baseball cap and aviator sunglasses, interacted with first responders from Taylor County.

(This story was updated to include new information.)
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