Satellite images reveal vast scale of destruction left in wake of Hurricane Milton as cleanup operations get underway [Video]

10:57 EDT 11 Oct 2024, updated 14:02 EDT 11 Oct 2024

New satellite images reveal the scale of destruction left behind by deadly Hurricane Milton as devastated Florida residents began the painful process of piecing their lives and homes back together.

Milton crashed into the Florida Gulf Coast late Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, with powerful winds, smashing communities still reeling from Hurricane Helene two weeks ago and leaving at least 16 people dead.

Nearly 2.5 million households and businesses remain without power Friday, and some areas in the path cut through by the monster storm are still flooded. 

Utility workers are repairing downed power lines and damaged cell phone towers, while crews from government agencies and residents armed with chain saws clear downed trees and mop up flooded streets swamped by Milton’s heavy rains. 

While Milton never generated the catastrophic surge of seawater that had been feared, officials warn the clean-up operation could take weeks or months to complete.

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