ELLENTON, Fla. — The aftermath of Hurricane Milton is creating a recovery atmosphere in Florida counties significantly impacted by the storm, as power restoration efforts yielded visible results on Monday. Many gas stations that had been closed due to the hurricane have now reopened, and students are gearing up to return to their classrooms in the coming days.
However, several neighborhoods continue to grapple with ongoing power outages, with numerous homes and businesses suffering harsh damage, their streets still submerged and littered with debris. The recovery process in these areas may require additional time.
By Monday afternoon, power companies across Florida had managed to restore electricity to almost 90% of the 3.4 million establishments that were left without service following Milton’s landfall late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane. The storm unleashed winds reaching 120 mph and produced a storm surge that crested at 10 feet, just days after Hurricane Helene led to considerable destruction along the Gulf Coast. Tragically, the death toll has reached at least 11.
The major power providers in the region are optimistic that more than 95% of their customers affected by the outages will regain power by Tuesday evening, thanks to the rapid deployment of thousands of workers who have been working diligently to repair damaged infrastructure.
“I know those guys got in and started working as soon as it was safe,” stated Governor Ron DeSantis during a press conference held at SeaPort Manatee, located south of Tampa Bay. He remarked on the fast recovery efforts and expressed gratitude for their accomplishments.
Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, and TECO Energy have also acknowledged improvements implemented over the last decade that include burying more power lines underground, utilizing sturdier utility poles, and providing technology that allows electricity to be rerouted away from damaged areas. However, regions still experiencing flooding will be prioritized last for power restoration.
“Electricity and water don’t mix, so we cannot reenergize until the water has receded to ensure the safety of those customers,” noted Ana Gibbs, a spokesperson for Duke Energy. Still, homes that have sustained damage to their electrical systems will remain without power until repairs can be made.
The reopening of most gas stations has alleviated fuel shortages, which have been a concern since the storm. DeSantis announced that around 12 million gallons of fuel have been delivered to the affected areas over the past four days—double the usual supply—to help restock stations that had exhausted their reserves before Hurricane Milton hit.
Most school districts in the areas that suffered the most devastation are planning to reopen their facilities on Wednesday, while Manatee County anticipates welcoming students back on Tuesday.
Governor DeSantis has mentioned that clearing debris may take up to a year, as nearly 3,000 workers have been designated to facilitate reintegration efforts. The federal government has approved extensive federal reimbursement for these initiatives, valid for a duration of 90 days.
In the Ellenton area along the Manatee River, residents like Chuck Porter are still reliant on generators as they navigate the aftermath of the storm. A downed power pole remains in a neighbor’s yard, and a large uprooted tree hinders access to their community. As utility trucks continue to traverse the highways, many are unable to stop for repairs as the situation remains dire.
“There’s no power around here,” shared Porter, a retiree who has been part of the community for nearly seven decades. Despite the challenging circumstances, he doesn’t seem to mind much. Porter and his wife have found temporary shelter with their daughter nearby. According to their power company, service restoration is anticipated by Wednesday night, and even if there are slight delays, they remain optimistic.
The couple was already busy with cleanup efforts inside their home, which had become inundated with knee-deep water and muddy debris following Hurricane Helene’s strike a couple of weeks earlier. They observed the damage from their leather couch. While Milton’s winds caused significant power outages and stripped some shingles from Porter’s roof, the wind damage itself was relatively minor; notably, the backyard bar he constructed remains unscathed.
Nonetheless, the internal water damage is quite extensive. Porter is in the process of replacing his air conditioning unit, refrigerator, and other appliances. “Saltwater just obliterates everything,” he explained. “Any light sockets that got wet will need to be ripped out.”
Many of his neighbors faced even harsher conditions, with homes just a block away from the river suffering from sewage overflow. Others have reported missing roof sections or shattered windows. “The recovery will take at least six months or longer,” he stated. “Insurance covers it, but it’s definitely a tedious process.”
