Florida has been rebuilding as three hurricanes have wreaked havoc on citizens and the environment in recent months. From the panhandle of northern Florida to the southern Keys, these tropical storms have destroyed homes, businesses and parks. The damage caused by these storms is not only severe in the short term, but also has lasting effects.
These hurricanes can result in environmental challenges by flooding wetlands and destroying animal habitats, endangering natural attractions and animal habitats such as Everglades National Park in southern Florida. This can also drive tourists out, with many hotels, restaurants and attractions reporting low numbers. Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has announced a $500 million recovery package to help small businesses and jumpstart the state’s rebuilding efforts.
These hurricanes have also impacted Florida’s communities. Siesta Key is one of the hardest hit communities, located just two miles west of Sarasota on Florida’s west coast. Over 850 structures destroyed and over 227,000 people were left without power in Sarasota County. Sarasota County is located on the Southwestern edge of Florida, with Siesta Key taking the brunt of the damage with over 100 homes destroyed in a community of just 5,500.
Hurricane Debby was a slow-moving storm that caused flooding across the southeastern United States. This hurricane was just the second in the Atlantic in 2024. Hurricane Debby also became the highest-cost natural disaster in the Canadian Province of Quebec. This storm originated in the Florida Straits, which is located between the Florida Keys and Cuba. This hurricane was a Category 1, but it still caused an estimated $13 million in damages.
Hurricane Helene became the strongest storm to strike the mainland of the US since Hurricane Katrina. Helene was a Category 4 hurricane that reached wind speeds of up to 140 mph. Helene caused over 230 fatalities and affected 12 states across the southern part of the US to the Midwest. The hurricane primarily affected Florida, but also affected western North Carolina viciously. Helene caused an estimated $89 billion of damage across the 12 states.
Hurricane Milton was a disastrous storm that became the second most powerful hurricane recorded in the Gulf of Mexico. Milton began in the Caribbean Sea and consolidated inside of the Bay of Campeche. This hurricane struck Florida less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene struck Florida’s west coast, causing 6 million Floridians to evacuate the Tampa Bay area. Milton caused the deaths of at least 35 people and an estimated damage of $85 billion.
Hurricanes are one of the most dangerous natural disasters that take place across the southeastern United States. They form when humid air is flowing upward at a zone of low pressure over warm ocean water; the water is released from the air, creating clouds that grow into a strong storm. Hurricanes are dangerous because they can cause flooding, destructive winds, tornadoes and even rip currents. These events damage homes and displace hundreds if not thousands of people.
