Hurricane Milton Death Toll Rises to 16

Cleanup efforts are underway in Florida following the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton, which resulted in at least 16 fatalities and widespread power outages, affecting over 2.4 million customers. The hurricane made landfall at Siesta Key and spawned deadly tornadoes, particularly impacting South Florida neighborhoods. Despite the destruction, relief is expressed that densely populated Tampa avoided a direct hit. Community efforts are strong, with neighbors helping each other by providing essentials and cleaning debris. Recovery operations are ongoing, with emergency crews conducting dramatic rescues and restoring essential services. Meanwhile, the state's vital tourism industry is beginning to resume normal operations as residents continue to assess and report damage.