Emergency crews and residents across Florida have begun the task of damage assessment and cleanup after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm. The system, which crossed the state after striking near Siesta Key, triggered widespread power outages for over three million customers and unleashed a series of lethal tornadoes. While officials noted that the storm surge in some areas was not as catastrophic as initially feared, significant flooding and structural damage have been reported from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic. Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that search and rescue operations remain the primary focus, supported by thousands of National Guard members and federal responders. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has shifted resources to assist with recovery, even as many communities are still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior. Economic analysts suggest the combined toll of the back-to-back storms could have long-term implications for the state’s insurance market and infrastructure planning.