Florida begins recovery after Hurricane Milton

Florida began its recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Milton, the second major hurricane to hit the state in two weeks. The storm caused widespread flooding, triggered deadly tornadoes on Florida's east coast, and left millions without power. At least 16 people have been reported dead.

Aerial footage showed flooded areas in central Florida, although some coastal cities like Tampa were spared the catastrophic storm surge that was initially feared. The hurricane's impact was compounded by the fact that many areas were still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which had struck the Gulf Coast late last month.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Florida to assess the damage.

Despite the widespread destruction, there was a silver lining in West Orange County's Orlo Vista neighborhood. A major flood mitigation project, currently 97% complete, helped spare the community from significant flooding. This was a relief for residents who had experienced devastating floods during Hurricane Ian two years ago.

Brett Blackadar, Deputy Public Works Director, explained that the project, although not fully finished, had a significant impact. The system was able to handle a hundred-year storm event capacity, which translates to about 27 cm of rain in the area. While Hurricane Milton brought less rainfall than that, the project still effectively mitigated potential flooding.

The flood mitigation project includes three excavated ponds for increased water storage and new pumps for removing excess water. Although the permanent, submersible pumps have been delayed due to supply-chain issues, temporary pumps are in place and functioning effectively.

The county has rented these temporary pumps through the end of the current hurricane season, ensuring the area remains protected until the permanent pumps can be installed. The project is targeted for completion by spring 2025.