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Hurricane Milton
Overview of Impact
Landfall Date: Wednesday night, October 9, 2024
Location: Near Siesta Key, Florida, just south of Tampa
Category at Landfall: Category 3
Wind Speed: Over 120 mph
Details of Hurricane Milton’s Impact
Landfall and Track Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key around 8:30 p.m. EDT. It took a more southern path, sparing Tampa Bay from severe storm surge flooding. Milton then moved across Florida, maintaining hurricane status as it entered the Atlantic Ocean with sustained winds of 85 mph.
Tornado Outbreak The storm triggered at least 41 tornadoes, confirmed by the National Weather Service. East Central Florida was particularly impacted, with 19 confirmed tornadoes causing significant damage to trees, power lines, homes, and businesses.
Flooding and Rainfall Heavy rainfall led to totals of 10 to 15 inches across affected areas, with St. Petersburg recording a peak of 20.40 inches. Areas south of Milton’s eye experienced severe storm surge flooding.
Damage Estimates Central Florida alone reported damages of $47 million, affecting about 20-30 youth soccer clubs. Total insured wind and flood losses from the storm are estimated between $17 billion and $28 billion, with overall damages around $50 billion.
Around 20-30 youth soccer clubs in the region
Hurricane Helene
Overview of Impact
Landfall Date: September 26, 2024, at 11:25 p.m.
Location: Near Perry, Florida, in the Big Bend area
Category at Landfall: Category 4
Wind Speed: Sustained winds of 140 mph
Details of Hurricane Helene’s Impact
Landfall and Path Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified before making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend as a powerful Category 4 storm. The storm’s path of destruction extended from northwestern Florida to Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread devastation.
Flooding and Record-Breaking Storm Surge Helene shattered storm surge records along Florida’s Gulf Coast, surpassing those set just a year earlier by Hurricane Idalia. The southern Appalachian region faced historic flooding, leading to hundreds of fatalities and causing billions in property damage.
Widespread Destruction The storm’s intense winds downed trees and power lines, impacting homes and infrastructure from Florida’s Gulf Coast up to the mountains of North Carolina.
Estimated Damage With estimated damages up to $250 billion, Hurricane Helene may rank as the most expensive storm in U.S. history. In western North Carolina alone, catastrophic flooding resulted in approximately $53 billion in damages, affecting around 15-20 youth soccer clubs in the region.
Around 15-20 youth soccer clubs in the region