Florida: Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc across Florida, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake as it brought down trees, tore off roofs, and caused widespread flooding. The Category 3 storm made landfall near Siesta Key on Wednesday, affecting a state still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which struck just two weeks ago.

More than three million homes and businesses lost power as Milton swept through the state, with winds up to 85 miles per hour recorded on Thursday morning. The National Hurricane Center reported that the storm weakened to a Category 1 but continued to batter Florida with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flash floods.

Tornadoes triggered by the storm caused additional devastation, with unconfirmed reports of fatalities in St. Lucie County, where a twister hit a retirement community. Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed multiple tornado touchdowns in the Spanish Lakes community, where lives were lost. Authorities have warned residents to seek shelter, as the unpredictable nature of tornadoes leaves little time for preparation.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, with both Democrats and Republicans closely monitoring the response as the U.S. presidential election approaches in four weeks.

The storm also tore through the roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' home stadium, sending debris flying. Tourist hub Orlando, including Disney World, is in Milton's projected path, with closures already in place.

Scientists have attributed the increasing severity and frequency of destructive storms like Milton to climate change, as warmer ocean temperatures fuel more powerful hurricanes.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents who hadn’t evacuated to stay indoors and avoid the dangerous floodwaters.

Milton's arrival comes just after the devastation of Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 235 people, making it the second-deadliest hurricane in U.S. history after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Floridians are still recovering from Helene, adding to the anxiety surrounding Milton's destruction.

Randy Prior, a local pool business owner, expressed concern after surviving both hurricanes. "The ground is saturated, and we’re still recovering from the other storm," he said.

The political climate surrounding disaster relief has intensified, with President Biden condemning false claims from his opponent, Donald Trump, regarding the allocation of storm aid. Biden called Trump's statements "reckless" and "irresponsible," while Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the need for accurate information during crises to ensure that affected people receive the help they need.