A QUICK AFTERMATH AND DAMAGE REPORT ON HURRICANE MILTON

[chief38]

Thankfully Milton weakened to a cat 3 just before hitting us last night! Where we are, we had winds and gusts up to 75mph from the wind charts I looked at but the gusts actually seemed a bit higher to me.

I went outside for a few brief minutes a half hour ago and I did see a few downed trees, some plants that went airborne, some minor damage to lamp posts and accessories but other than that our homes look like they did just fine. Upon forst quick inspection my pool cage was unscathed but I did hear that some lost many screens and had structural damage. Upon closer inspection later when I clean up and put everything back to where it belongs I will know more.

We are not in a "flood zone" and I saw no evidence of flooding as far as I could see - without taking a walk around the development. From my viewpoint, we had little rain as compared to many other areas. Thankfully, Milton was a much faster moving storm than Ian was 2 years ago. So initially without a walk around I would say we dodged the bullet for the most part. Other than a mess to clean up, plants and trees to replant and prop up, I just have a general cleanup and straightening up to do today.

The one thing that I was pleasantly surprised about was that our power never went out - a miracle in itself! I thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers as I know many just north of us did not fare as well. I wish them good luck and hope it was not as bad as predicted. I consider myself a very lucky guy as it could have been much worse! If I find anything major later on, I'll let you know. Now starts the clean up.

 

[s&wchad]

I'm glad you're OK and didn't suffer and major property damage.

 

[Greyman50]

Thank God we did not lose power and very little wind.

 

[SMSgt]

Here on the east side the worst was before Milton even made landfall. Heavy rain/wind bands and multiple tornadoes, including some deadly ones near me. The canal rose quickly and created a parade of soccer balls, kick balls, coconuts and assorted other junk passing by. All that blew by in a couple of hours. The hurricane winds hit late in the evening. I've got typical debris all over the back yard. The tornadoes did far more damage. Compared to other hurricanes here, outside of the tornadoes, this one was a cakewalk--here.

 

[oink]

Well no property damage here but with it's late northward jog we were far from a direct hit. For awhile they kept moving the cone S. bringing us into the watch or warning area, before finally moving it back N. It appears to gone over my brother's house on Merritt Island. My area was part of the area that got hit pretty hard by tornadoes. We lost power for good around midnight and are on generator. No whole house generator so no AC but we do have refrigeration and the well pump is powered. We have propane stove and water heater. So I'm not complaining and we feel blessed compared to what others experienced from Milton and Helene. Now to see if I can get hold of my brother.

 

[Heymatt]

No damage in our neighborhood. North and west of us got hit pretty hard with tornadoes. With some loss of life up around PSL/Fort Pierce area.
Still gusting in the 40-50 range though.

 

[Onomea]

I am glad to see that so far our forum friends seem to be doing well. I hope the same is true for any in the hurricane's path from whom we have yet to hear.

 

[Denverd0n]

We are north of Tampa, in Wesley Chapel. Lots of wind and rain overnight, of course. Power was out most of the night, from about 10:30 pm until about 9:30 this morning. We have one tree down in our backyard, and a large branch broken on another. Otherwise it is just a lot of small branches and leaves all over the yard. Haven't done a thorough inspection, but the roof looks okay. So, all in all, can't complain.

 

[fordson]

In the NE corner of the state we experienced rain (lots) and wind, mostly as Milton crossed from the west to east coast. The St. John’s River is high but so far, no reports of flooding or major damage. I’ve got some tree limbs down and lots of leaves with super saturated ground but that’s all. Power flickered a couple of times but nothing else. Sister, who lives near Orlando, lost a section of her pool screening but nothing else. Hope everyone else came thru as well but likely not once the news reports start showing.

 

[jimmyj]

I have often wondered why utilities lines are not put underground ?

 

[Coverdog]

I have often wondered why utilities lines are not put underground ?

That would make too much sense. Minor Fence damage here and no power near Englewood. Surprisingly not a lot of rain.

 

[oink]

I have often wondered why utilities lines are not put underground ?

A crew subcontracted to FPL came by a couple months ago doing surveys of residences saying FPL was going underground. I'm already underground from the pole w transformer thats halfway down my property line to my house but they said they'll drill underground to where the pole is, remove the pole and place a transformer on a pad. The bad news is they said it will be the better part of 2 years before they get to it. Well they may leave the pole unless ATT also goes underground.

 

[Bald1]

Naples just south of Marco Island. Non event. A little surge but never came over my sea wall. Internet was out for a few hrs. It’s about what I expected. Downtown Naples had some flooding.

 

[Imissedagain]

They reported that about 150 Tornados touched down yesterday.
Radar shows some before landfall.

 

[bearfoot]

OSTERO/ Fla.

granddaughter lives in Estero. loss of power last night. power on this am. just **** vegetation in/ around yard/ street.

 

[Rudi]

PTL! That's great.

 

[Tom S.]

The damage here in Michigan was great but we will rebuild!

 

[soFlaNative]

I have often wondered why utilities lines are not put underground ?

It all comes out of the ground somewhere so no guarantees.
Family from Jensen Beach to Merritt Island have checked in with minimal damage except for a cousin who took a twister hit in Port St. Lucie. House is livable and family OK.
Mom's home in Lake Placid lost power about 10PM with her Generac now supplying juice. My brother is there taking care of things and finding some oil for a neighbor running the same gen set that shut down on low oil. Priority as friends taking shelter from the west coast need oxygen generated. I'm going to find a spare battery for the gen to swap if needed.
Blew some leaves away and pressure cleaned awnings while they're down. 85 deg, partly cloudy and a bit breezy with humidity below 60% is lovely.
Glad to hear Forum folk are for the most part well, hoping the rest are the same.

 

[Onomea]

It costs a lot more to install power lines underground than it does to just run 'em pole to pole. At least that is my understanding.

 

[tlawler]

Here at the top of Charlotte Harbor, we had maybe 6 feet of water. Still at least a foot shy of getting in the house. High water mark pretty even with Helene last week. We had some mighty gusts, but nothing like the hours long pounding of Ian. It went through pretty fast, like Charley, so that lessened the damage. The nerve wracking part is that the most intense part of the storm coincided with the late night/early morning hours. Lots of “crash/boom/slam” and not being able to see it until morning.

One thing I found interesting is that the flooding came up through the drainage system, not overland from the harbor, and we’re only a hundred yards or so from a tributary of the harbor.