Hurricane Milton, after wreaking havoc across Florida, moved into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, leaving behind widespread destruction. The storm, which triggered tornados and caused significant flooding, claimed at least 10 lives and left millions without power. Despite fears of a catastrophic storm surge, the worst-case scenario was avoided.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed relief that the storm didn’t result in the predicted catastrophic surge but emphasized that the damage was still substantial, with flooding remaining a critical concern, especially along the barrier islands south of Tampa, which endured extensive flooding.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, in a White House briefing, confirmed the 10 deaths were largely the result of tornados. A total of 27 tornadoes were reported to have touched down across the state, causing destruction in several areas. In St. Lucie County, five people lost their lives, including two residents of senior-living communities in Spanish Lakes. Evidence of the tornadoes’ power could be seen in snapped electric poles and overturned trucks in ditches.

Residents like Crystal Coleman and her daughter experienced the storm’s fury firsthand. As a tornado tore the roof off their home in Lakewood Park, they took shelter in a bathroom. “It felt like I was in a movie,” Coleman said, recounting the terrifying ordeal.

By Thursday afternoon, more than 3.2 million homes and businesses were without power, some having already waited days for restoration after Hurricane Helene’s recent impact. In St. Petersburg, the fabric roof of Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, was shredded by the storm, although no injuries were reported. The stadium had been repurposed as a staging area for responders, with thousands of cots set up for relief workers.

Downtown St. Petersburg saw significant damage, including a fallen crane that tore off a portion of the Johnson Pope building, home to the Tampa Bay Times. “That, to me, is shocking and crazy to see,” said Alberta Momenthy, a local resident. She described the sight of the crane’s crumpled boom stretching across the street.

Steven Cole Smith, an automotive writer from Tampa, rode out the storm with his wife despite evacuation orders. Smith described how the winds violently shook their windows, but the couple decided to stay, unsure if evacuating to their central Florida home would be any safer. “We really didn’t have anywhere else to go,” he explained, having prepared by gathering supplies and fuel for their generator.

Others, like Ken Wood, a ferryboat operator from Pinellas County, chose to evacuate after enduring Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior. Wood left his Gulf Coast home with his cat Andy and sought refuge in a hotel. He now anxiously awaits word that it’s safe to return to his neighborhood, which had already been heavily damaged by Helene.

The state’s attention remains on the risk of river flooding, as some areas received up to 18 inches of rain. Authorities were closely monitoring rivers for potential crests, but so far, water levels were holding at or below those seen during Hurricane Helene.

Much of the destruction was attributed to the tornadoes. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) head Deanne Criswell praised the state’s evacuation orders, noting they likely saved lives. More than 90,000 residents sought shelter during the storm.

In Fort Myers, Connor Ferin recounted the devastation at his home after a tornado struck. “All this happened instantaneous,” he said, explaining how the windows blew out as he grabbed his two dogs and took cover. The tornado ripped off the roof, leaving the home flooded with rainwater and debris.

President Joe Biden, who postponed an overseas trip to monitor the situation, called for Congress to address disaster relief funding in the aftermath of the storm. He indicated that Congress may need to reconvene before their scheduled return after the November 5 election to tackle the issue.

Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s west coast late Wednesday as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph. Though dangerous, it had weakened from a Category 5 status as it traveled across the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the storm’s weakening, it still caused widespread damage, leaving Florida to grapple with its aftermath.