As Hurricane Milton swept through Citrus County, leaving a trail of fallen trees and power outages, local officials breathed a sigh of relief. The hurricane, while disruptive, caused far less damage than anticipated. This outcome was a testament to the county’s preparedness and resilience in the face of such natural disasters. They planned for the worst, hoped for the best, and ended up with a result that was, according to local officials, “not bad.”
The Aftermath of Hurricane Milton
While the hurricane did cause some damage – most notably fallen trees and power outages – the overall damage was less severe than expected. Crystal River Mayor Joe Meek reported damage to some commercial businesses and seawalls due to extreme low tides. However, he emphasized that he would take this over a storm surge any day. Unfortunately, the hurricane did claim one life, an Inverness man who tragically died when his car struck a fallen tree.
Citrus County’s Response
Citrus County Commission Chair Holly Davis reported that the county fared better than anticipated. She also noted that wind speeds were mostly in the 50-70 mph range across the county. Emergency workers were quick to respond, working tirelessly to clear trees from roadways and power lines. Power companies were able to restore electricity to 40,000 customers. However, it was estimated that power restoration for all affected could take several days.
Moving Forward
Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Milton, Citrus County is already looking towards recovery. The mandatory evacuation has been lifted and storm evacuees have been leaving the shelters. While schools remain closed for the rest of the week, government offices are set to reopen. Davis also mentioned that attention will soon return to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, another recent storm that caused significant damage in the area. She expressed her gratitude that Milton did not add much to the damage caused by Helene.
In conclusion, despite the disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton, Citrus County officials are satisfied with the outcome. The county’s response to the hurricane, both in terms of preparedness and recovery, has been commendable. The residents of Citrus County have shown resilience and solidarity in these trying times, and are now looking towards recovery and rebuilding. The experience with Hurricane Milton has further demonstrated the importance of preparedness and quick response in mitigating the impact of such natural disasters.
