Hurricane Milton struck Siesta Key shortly after Hurricane Helene, compounding disaster effects for residents like David Wolter. Milton, classified as a strong Category 5 hurricane, caused devastating damage across Florida, leading to significant costs, with over $34 billion in damages reported. The storm not only resulted in the tragic loss of lives but also intensified pressures on Florida's insurance market due to payouts exceeding $4.2 billion. Wolter faced additional challenges despite having a hurricane-resilient home, as extensive flood damage to his enclosed ground floor was not covered by insurance, highlighting ongoing concerns for homeowners in hurricane-prone areas.
"We gave our heart and soul for two weeks to try and clean up and recover after Helene, recalls Wolter. When Milton came, it took all the hurricane debris and turned it into shrapnel and literally spread it all back out across the island."
"Milton was one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic basin, reaching Category 5 as it took an unusual eastward track across the Gulf. It made landfall as a Category 3, causing major damage in the Sarasota and Tampa areas."
"For Wolter, the Siesta Key resident, the damage was limited by the fact that his home is built to modern hurricane codes, with the living space elevated 17 feet. However, his enclosed ground floor, including a garage, suffered extensive flood damage that isn't covered by insurance."
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