As Hurricane Milton struck Florida on Wednesday evening, residents of a senior living facility near Tampa Bay faced a dangerous situation as floodwaters rushed into their homes. Lidier Rodriguez and Sandra Escalona, long-time residents, quickly moved upstairs to safety as water surged through their apartment.

Emergency crews, working tirelessly through the night, rescued them and continued helping other older residents escape the flooded complex. The two-storey apartment buildings are located on a low-lying street, now submerged due to the powerful storm.

“We lost everything,” said Rodriguez, a 54-year-old Cuban immigrant who has lived in Florida for 20 years. “But we’re alive. That’s all that matters.”

Dozens of confused and shell-shocked residents stood outside their homes, holding bags of salvaged belongings, some clutching their pets. Many had not expected such severe flooding, as their neighborhood was not in the mandatory evacuation zones declared by Florida officials. The area had been spared during Hurricane Helene, which hit just weeks before.

Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, killed at least 11 people as it passed through the state and moved out into the Atlantic. While feared catastrophic damage did not materialize, the storm’s impact was still devastating for many.

Escalona described the terrifying moment the water began to rise in their home. “It happened so fast. The water rushed in with a lot of force,” she said. “We grabbed some papers, the dog, and left. We spent the night outside our neighbors’ door upstairs.”

Now, Escalona and Rodriguez, who have no family in the country after 20 years of living in the U.S., are uncertain about what comes next. “We don’t know where to go,” said Rodriguez. “It’s just the two of us and our dog, Tito.”

Despite Milton’s strength, the storm did not hit Florida as hard as many had feared. Most fatalities occurred on the state’s east coast, where tornadoes spun off from the storm. In Sarasota, about 60 miles south of Clearwater, streets were gradually returning to normal, although downed trees and broken glass still littered some areas.

Residents expressed relief that the damage wasn’t worse. “I think it could have been a lot worse,” said Donna Pickup, a local retiree.

In Punta Gorda, about 60 miles southeast of Sarasota, some seaside areas were flooded, and several yachts were stranded along the waterfront. However, much of the town, which had been hard-hit by Hurricane Ian in 2022, was spared the worst.

David Cardoso, a local resident, echoed the relief felt by many. “Thank God,” he said. “A lot of houses are still in pretty good shape.”

As Hurricane Milton struck Florida on Wednesday evening, residents of a senior living facility near Tampa Bay faced a dangerous situation as floodwaters rushed into their homes. Lidier Rodriguez and Sandra Escalona, long-time residents, quickly moved upstairs to safety as water surged through their apartment.

Emergency crews, working tirelessly through the night, rescued them and continued helping other older residents escape the flooded complex. The two-storey apartment buildings are located on a low-lying street, now submerged due to the powerful storm.

“We lost everything,” said Rodriguez, a 54-year-old Cuban immigrant who has lived in Florida for 20 years. “But we’re alive. That’s all that matters.”

Dozens of confused and shell-shocked residents stood outside their homes, holding bags of salvaged belongings, some clutching their pets. Many had not expected such severe flooding, as their neighborhood was not in the mandatory evacuation zones declared by Florida officials. The area had been spared during Hurricane Helene, which hit just weeks before.

Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, killed at least 11 people as it passed through the state and moved out into the Atlantic. While feared catastrophic damage did not materialize, the storm’s impact was still devastating for many.

Escalona described the terrifying moment the water began to rise in their home. “It happened so fast. The water rushed in with a lot of force,” she said. “We grabbed some papers, the dog, and left. We spent the night outside our neighbors’ door upstairs.”

Now, Escalona and Rodriguez, who have no family in the country after 20 years of living in the U.S., are uncertain about what comes next. “We don’t know where to go,” said Rodriguez. “It’s just the two of us and our dog, Tito.”

Despite Milton’s strength, the storm did not hit Florida as hard as many had feared. Most fatalities occurred on the state’s east coast, where tornadoes spun off from the storm. In Sarasota, about 60 miles south of Clearwater, streets were gradually returning to normal, although downed trees and broken glass still littered some areas.

Residents expressed relief that the damage wasn’t worse. “I think it could have been a lot worse,” said Donna Pickup, a local retiree.

In Punta Gorda, about 60 miles southeast of Sarasota, some seaside areas were flooded, and several yachts were stranded along the waterfront. However, much of the town, which had been hard-hit by Hurricane Ian in 2022, was spared the worst.

David Cardoso, a local resident, echoed the relief felt by many. “Thank God,” he said. “A lot of houses are still in pretty good shape.”