The death toll from Hurricane Milton has risen to at least 16, officials in Florida announced on Friday. As the state begins its recovery, millions remain powerless, grappling with the storm’s aftermath.
Officials reported over two million households and businesses are still powerless, with certain regions suffering from persistent flooding. “Water levels are still rising in some areas,” cautioned Governor Ron DeSantis. However, he acknowledged, “Although the impact was severe, we avoided the worst-case scenario.”
During a briefing at the White House, President Joe Biden disclosed that damages from the storm are estimated to cost $50 billion. The response to this hurricane and the recent Hurricane Helene have sparked political debates. Biden plans to visit Florida on Sunday to assess the situation firsthand.
The President urged Congress to enhance support, especially for the small businesses severely affected by the storms. He highlighted that the agency responsible for providing financial assistance to businesses and families is nearing a funding crisis due to the scale of recent disasters.
Amidst this turmoil, former President Donald Trump inaccurately accused the Biden-Harris administration of reallocating hurricane relief funds for migrant care, a claim that has faced criticism from various quarters, including some Republican figures.
When questioned about Trump’s role in spreading misinformation, Biden responded, “No… but he has the biggest mouth,” suggesting Trump’s significant influence in shaping public discourse.
