As Hurricane Milton unleashed its full fury on Florida on October 10, a remarkable rescue mission was taking place 48 kilometers off the coast. Described as a “nightmare” scenario by emergency responders, the rescue involved a man clinging helplessly to an ice box in the Gulf of Mexico.
The unidentified man managed to contact the Coast Guard station in St. Petersburg before communication was lost. His fishing vessel had malfunctioned near Madeira Beach just before the storm hit, leaving him stranded at sea. Fortunately, rescuers located him the following day, clutching an open cooler chest. A video of the dramatic rescue has since gone viral, captivating viewers online.
#Breaking An @USCG Air Station Miami 65 helicopter crew rescued a man clinging to a cooler approximately 30 mi. off Longboat Key.
The man was taken to Tampa General Hospital for medical care.
Sector St. Pete lost communications w/ the man at approx. 6:45 p.m., Wed. #SAR pic.twitter.com/64wSHuRAeH
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) October 10, 2024
“This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner,” said Coast Guard official Dana Grady. Following his rescue, the man was transported to Tampa General Hospital for medical attention.
On land, Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc across Florida, resulting in widespread chaos and destruction. The powerful storm has been linked to at least 16 fatalities, including six in St. Lucie County along the Atlantic coast. As the storm continued to batter the state, over 11 million residents faced risks of flash floods and river flooding.
By 11:50 AM ET on Thursday, more than 3.4 million people were reported to be experiencing power outages across various counties. The rainfall from Milton was unprecedented, with estimates suggesting it delivered a 1-in-1,000-year downpour, severely impacting the Tampa Bay area.
The financial toll of Hurricane Milton is projected to be staggering, with Fitch Ratings estimating insured losses for Florida property owners could reach up to $50 billion. This would mark the largest insured loss since Hurricane Ian struck in 2022. The combination of Hurricane Milton and the earlier Hurricane Helene will likely push the total insured losses for the state beyond $100 billion for the fifth consecutive year, according to Fitch analysts.
As recovery efforts begin, the focus remains on the lives lost and the extensive damage left in the wake of Hurricane Milton, a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature.
