Stunning videos show devastating aftermath of Hurricane Milton

Floridians are picking up the pieces after Milton made landfall Wednesday evening. CNN talks to reporters on the ground and residents as they survey the damage done. Watch CNN’s coverage:

00:00 - 5:42 CNN’s Isabel Rosales is on scene in Hillsborough County, Florida, where major flooding has overtaken a street near the University of South Florida.

05:43 - 17:27 CNN’s Randi Kaye reports on the destruction across the state in the wake of Milton, while CNN’s Jake Tapper talks with FEMA acting director of response and recovery Keith Turi.

17:28 - 22:30 CNN takes a ride on an amphibious vehicle to tour the flooding.

22:31 - 26:05 North Port resident Cheryl Bernatowicz tells CNN about how her home was destroyed by Milton, and how multiple hurricanes and the damage they left on her home have changed her views on living in Florida.

26:06 - 28:56 Bob Slicker, whose restaurant was damaged by Hurricane Helene describes putting rebuilding on hold while preparing for Hurricane Milton for less than two weeks prior.

#CNN #news

[Dcjc]

I’m from the Tampa Bay Area and it rained for 24 hours STRAIGHT. From 2am Wednesday to 2am Thursday (and beyond that even). Then the wind was just relentless! Lost power and the silence made the sound of wind even louder. Thank goodness it’s over!

[terrancemoody]

That's that's crazy how it takes decades to build up land and buildings and houses, and then it all just gets taken away in the blink of an eye. We are like specks of sand in the eyes of Mother Earth. 🙏🏽

[HayleyAshASMR]

I just cant imagine what it has to feel like for old americans to potentially loose their home in which they've been living for their whole life... god bless you all i hope you'll recover from this bs 😭

[JessTalkTV]

Who let their teenager go to a friend's house during a hurricane? 😮

[CharlieEarthRoast]

When I saw that it was only (and yes, I know that word is crazy now) a Cat 3, I was relieved. It would have been SO much worse if it stayed at Cat 5. When that meteorologist cried about how fast it intensified, my heart dropped.

[SashiCat]

"Unrelentless" is not actually a word, it's either unrelenting or relentless. Yes, spelling police on the job, no apologies.😊

[narellewhitla]

In Australia the saying for deterring driving around in floodwater is "If it's flooded, forget it" so many ppl do it and get into serious trouble. "Turn around, don't drown" is another good way to say it that I hadn't heard before. I live in Queensland and last Christmas we were hit by a cyclone and an ensuing 100year flood...it's devastating to say the least. Prayers to everyone affected from Oz, keep looking out for one another and you'll get through 💞🙏💞

[Aelethil]

It's insane that there are residents in need of emergency rescue in Hillsborough. Yet I'm in the same county and I some how still have power and no flooding. I am counting every blessing I have because I think I just used all of them this storm.


Stay safe everyone... please

[gpotato]

My home was okay and I had power in Saint Pete!! I’m so blessed. Hope everyone is safe!!

[bamboozled]

To think what may be lurking in that water 🐊

[tash]

This is horrible. Day 3 without power. So much death, destruction and high flood waters 🥺. Praying for my city 😢🙏🏽.

[cyrilmauras]

Nineteen years ago, New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina that was at Category 4. We had a lot of wind damage but what was worse was our levees broke and flooded our city. Some houses were under water up to the roofs. Our local governments ordered a mandatory evacuation before the storm hit, but not everyone had personal transportation to escape and were stuck in the city during the storm. Those of us who did evacuate were allowed to return a week later after the flooding waters mostly drained away to assess our property damage but were not allowed to stay. Only after three weeks after power was restored to most of the city and surrounding areas were we allowed to return permanently.

[chieflingco]

imagine your boss is like "why didnt you show up to work"

[dylanogden]

I live right in st Petersburg last night blew my mind ive never seen weather like that in my life just blessed to still be here

[NileBuilt]

Our hearts and prayers are with the people who are affected by Milton. As natural disasters are becoming more frequent, it reminds us how crucial it is to do what we do.

Our goal is to build disaster resilient homes for America and we will continue to work towards it.

We pray that God gives those who were affected in this hurricane the strength to face this situation.

[whoscares]

I’m in fort Myers..the tornados were NO joke!! We are 60 miles from the impact of the storm..I’ve lived in Fl my entire life..the last 10 years have been INSANE with these storms..

[petem.]

I called the FEMA help line. It took me less than 10 minutes to get help applying for disaster assistance cuz I have no wifi to do it online. People not getting help aren't looking for it.

[robinhoward]

This is heartbreaking 😢 I hope everyone and their pets can be rescued safely! Sending love and best wishes!!! BTW, fantastic camera work CNN! ❤

[wayIess]

23:00 Sending prayers for this woman and the rest of Florida. She looks and sounds so exhausted and beaten. To see your home destroyed is heartbreaking. 😢 🫂

[mototaco]

In a high risk areas for hurricane, why are officials allowing rebuilding? If you know there's high probability of hurricanes, there should be either stricter codes or don't build at all.