Florida residents are grappling with the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Milton, which struck the state’s coastal communities earlier this week. The Category 3 storm made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, bringing destruction to homes, flooding streets, and triggering a series of deadly tornadoes.

Despite early fears, the storm’s impact wasn’t as catastrophic as expected. Tampa, one of the state’s most densely populated cities, was spared a direct hit, and the feared storm surge never materialized. Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged the storm's damage but noted that the worst-case scenario had been avoided. "I’ve seen a lot of grit, a lot of determination, and I’m confident this area will bounce back quickly," he said in a press conference.

As of Thursday evening, the storm had caused at least eight deaths, with five fatalities resulting from tornadoes in the Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce. Another tornado claimed the lives of two women after trees crashed into their homes in Volusia County. Search-and-rescue efforts continue, with more than 340 people and 49 pets already rescued.

Hurricane Milton’s winds, which initially peaked at 180 mph in the Gulf of Mexico, weakened to 120 mph upon landfall. The storm left 3 million homes and businesses without power, a number that had reduced to 2.8 million by Thursday night. Milton also caused significant flooding in parts of southern Florida and tore the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field stadium.

As the state focuses on recovery, relief efforts are underway, with a stream of emergency vehicles, fuel tankers, and bucket trucks heading south on Interstate 75 to assist in the hardest-hit areas. However, finding fuel remains a challenge for residents returning to assess the damage to their homes.

While the cleanup is ongoing, Florida’s tourism industry is bouncing back. Major theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, are set to reopen, and Orlando International Airport has resumed operations.

Despite the storm’s lesser-than-expected impact, Hurricane Milton has left a lasting mark, particularly with the unusually powerful tornadoes that swept through the state. Florida typically experiences tornadoes during hurricanes, but Milton’s twisters were much stronger, resembling the type seen in the Great Plains.

With hurricane season ongoing and climate change fueling more intense storms, Florida is likely to face further challenges in the future as it continues to recover from the devastation of both Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, which hit just two weeks prior.

-CBS News