The damage caused by the hurricane could reach up to $100 billion.
Hurricane Milton has claimed at least 16 lives after sweeping through the state of Florida on Thursday. Clean-up operations are now underway, with crews working to remove fallen trees and downed power lines, reports Reuters.
Although Florida was spared the devastating storm surge it feared, recovery efforts could take weeks or even months for some residents.
Analysts estimate that the damage from Hurricane Milton, the fifth most powerful of its kind in history, could cost insurance companies up to $100 billion. The full extent of the destruction is still being assessed, with the White House pledging federal aid to support recovery efforts.
Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast Wednesday evening as a Category 3 hurricane. The worst destruction occurred about 160 kilometers further east along the coast. The storm weakened to a Category 1 hurricane as it moved away from Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean.
While the city of Tampa was spared from a direct hit, over three million people in Florida were left without power due to the severe weather conditions.
Milton also brought tornadoes, which contributed to the fatalities and worsened the damage, following closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which had hit the area just two weeks prior.
