Floridians are slowly rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Milton ravaged the state, leaving at least 16 people dead and over 2.5 million without electricity. Airports and theme parks have reopened, but the full extent of the damage remains unknown.

According to Poweroutage.us, over 2.4 million customers in Florida and Georgia, and 55,000 homes in North Carolina, remain without power. The Tampa region is particularly affected, with half a million customers in the dark, while Fort Myers has almost 200,000 without electricity.

Emergency workers have rescued hundreds, but the death toll continues to rise. Six people were killed by tornadoes in St. Lucie County, with additional fatalities reported in Volusia, Pinellas, Citrus, Polk, Hillsborough, and Orange counties.

As residents return home, they face debris and hazards. Duke Energy of Florida warns of downed power lines and other dangers. Cleanup crews have already suffered losses, with a Polk County employee killed by a fellow crew member’s car and a woman killed by a falling tree branch in Hillsborough County.

The storm’s unusual west-to-east trajectory made it “extremely dangerous.” Hurricane-force winds spawned 19 tornadoes, and storm surges rose up to 9 feet in some areas. Tropicana Field’s roof was ripped off, and a crane collapsed in downtown St. Petersburg.

Hurricane Milton follows Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida two weeks ago, killing at least 20 people. The combined damage and loss of life have left Floridians reeling.

Joseph Malinowski, known as “Lieutenant Dan” on TikTok, survived both hurricanes on his boat, despite pleas to seek shelter. Another man was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after being found floating in the Gulf of Mexico with only a life jacket and cooler.