As cleanup efforts from Hurricane Milton continued on Saturday, many roads remained blocked, resources were limited for evacuees returning home, and power restoration was progressing slowly.

Hurricane Milton struck Florida on Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm, sweeping east across the state and causing significant devastation before heading out to sea. While the Tampa Bay region escaped severe storm surges, the strong winds and heavy rainfall inflicted widespread damage and even generated deadly tornadoes far from the landfall area. Authorities have reported at least 17 fatalities statewide, with damage assessments still ongoing.

On Saturday, the White House confirmed that President Joe Biden had approved a disaster declaration for Florida on Friday, unlocking federal aid for those impacted by Milton in over half of the state’s counties. This assistance includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and loans, according to the White House.

Areas that were just beginning to recover from Hurricane Helene faced new challenges. As of Saturday afternoon, approximately 1.3 million residences and businesses were still without power, a decrease from over 2 million the previous day. Those without electricity were desperately searching for ice to save any perishable food left in their fridges.

In Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg, residents were optimistic that a severe gasoline shortage following Milton would start to improve over the weekend with incoming fuel deliveries and reopening ports. Many gas stations displayed “out of service” signs, while at the few locations with fuel, cars lined up for nearly two miles.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced that three free fuel distribution sites opened Saturday in Plant City, Bradenton, and St. Petersburg, with plans for more to come. Residents can collect up to 10 gallons of gasoline for free at these locations.

Some of Florida’s major tourist destinations, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, reopened on Friday, alongside Port Canaveral for both cruise and freight traffic.

In Flagler County, located on the east coast, officials on Saturday urged the area’s 130,000 residents to avoid driving and to conserve water for emergencies, as local treatment facilities were overwhelmed. The Florida Air National Guard was back on the ground, distributing ready-to-eat meals that day.

“Stay away from any downed power lines and areas with flooding or debris that may conceal those lines,” advised county officials, a warning echoed across the state.

Rescue Teams Retrieve Individuals from Flooded Areas

Search and rescue operations were still ongoing in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties as of Saturday, with rising waters continuing to pose danger after Milton’s passage, Governor DeSantis noted.

By Saturday morning, over 1,000 individuals had been rescued from floodwaters and other perils, according to the governor.

“Thankfully, we didn’t experience the predicted 15- to 20-foot storm surge; however, rising waters remain very hazardous, prompting swift action by our rescue teams,” DeSantis said.

Milton Caused Extensive Damage through Tornadoes, Winds, and Flooding

The damage from Milton extended well beyond its landfall, which occurred near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. This unusual impact briefly created a “reverse” storm surge, which drew water out of Tampa Bay, thus preventing the anticipated deadly storm surge in the densely populated region.

Nevertheless, strong winds knocked over a large crane onto a downtown structure and severely damaged the roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

As Milton swept across Florida, winds reached speeds of around 100 mph more than 30 miles inland. Tornadoes were also confirmed as the storm advanced eastward, and at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, the winds caused a massive hole approximately 30 by 40 feet in the roof.

A significant portion of Polk County was inundated, while in Lake County, flooding led to nearly 2 million gallons of sewage being released from a wastewater treatment facility in Leesburg. Throughout the state, downed trees and utility lines obstructed roadways, high winds and flooding displaced vehicles and boats, and significant sinkholes emerged.

The tornadoes resulted in destruction of structures and multiple fatalities. In Brevard County, a Wells Fargo branch lost its roof, and a Supercuts salon was also destroyed.

At Least 17 Casualties Linked to the Storm

At a minimum, 17 individuals have been confirmed dead due to Hurricane Milton. The fatalities occurred in various counties, including St. Lucie, Volusia, Pinellas, and Citrus.

At least six people died in St. Lucie County as tornadoes spawned by Milton tore through the region, with Spanish Lakes Country Club Village suffering significant damage.

Residents are feeling upset and frustrated following the devastation caused by two hurricanes.

Tragically, some individuals lost their lives when trees toppled onto their cars or homes. This includes a 79-year-old woman in Ormond Beach and a 54-year-old woman in Port Orange, both located in Volusia County. Another person also died in Volusia due to a medical emergency when the storm hindered prompt assistance.

In Hillsborough County, a woman lost her life when a tree branch fell on her while she was tending to her property. Additionally, a man in Orange County died after stepping on a fallen power line Thursday night as a result of the storm’s aftermath.

What are the estimated damages from Milton?

Preliminary assessments indicate that Hurricane Milton’s damage could be around $50 billion, as mentioned by President Biden on Friday. However, the overall financial impact, including property damage and economic losses, might surpass $160 billion, according to an evaluation by AccuWeather. This estimate also factors in long-term healthcare expenses for survivors and disruption to various industries.

“Milton is set to be recorded as one of the most destructive and impactful storms in Florida’s history, in the same league as Hurricane Helene, which has an estimated damage and economic loss ranging from $225 to $250 billion just two weeks ago,” AccuWeather stated.

Since 1980, hurricanes have inflicted damages exceeding $1.3 trillion, with each incident typically resulting in about $22.8 billion in damages, according to the Office for Coastal Management of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(This article has been updated with the latest information.)