Hurricane Milton’s reign across Central Florida, although not as bad as researchers predicted, still took several lives, limited resources, and left hundreds of citizens in need. Due to the destruction UHS has been forced to reschedule multiple events regarding homecoming.
The homecoming dance has been rescheduled to November 2nd. The football game, homecoming festival, and pep rally have all been moved to the day before, on November 1st. Although moving dates can be an inconvenience, SGA has made the most of it by opening ticket sales back up and continuing promotions. “We have more time to execute everything we want to get done, the pushback gave us more time to promote, and we were really happy we were able to open the tickets back up to those who may not have gotten a chance to purchase by the original deadline,” stated SGA vice president Autumn Johnson.
Although all we had to do was reschedule dates, other people in Florida were not so lucky. The death toll has reached approximately 30 individuals. About 1,800 people in need have been rescued via airboats by urban search and rescue teams along with the Florida National Guard. “The priority is the safety of personnel and their families and ensuring they have the resources they need as they recover from Hurricane Milton,” stated Major General Patrick Ryder with the National Guard.
Following the storms path, over 3 million people were out of power but as of currently power companies are working on restoration and that number has dropped to around 4,000. While visiting Florida after the storm, President Joe Biden supplied $47 million for Gainesville Regional Utilities and another $47 million for Florida Power and Light to help them regain their power systems. “We’re going to do everything we can to get power back in your home, not only helping you recover, but to help you build back stronger,” stated Biden.
Structural damages weren’t as severe as expected, but were still extreme enough to require major rebuilding. Large structures like the Tropicana Field, which was acting as a shelter at the time, had the roof ripped off and insides damaged. Thousands of buildings and homes were destroyed from the 120 mph winds and intense flooding. “The storm surge and flooding have completely reshaped coastal communities. It’s not just about repairing buildings—it’s about rebuilding lives,” stated storm impact analyst Lucy Swam, referring to the aftermath in Sarasota County.
