United States - October 11, 2024

Hurricane Milton hit the southeast U.S. state of Florida overnight with strong winds, destructive tornadoes and heavy rain, leaving at least 17 dead and millions of people without power as of Friday.

Milton made its landfall along the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm and weakened to Category 1 as it plowed quickly across central Florida.

Although Orlando Airport and Tampa Airport, which were temporarily closed due to the hurricane, announced the resumption of operations on Thursday, nearly 300 flights were still canceled at both airports that day.

On the way from Orlando Airport to Florida's west coast, highways filled with heavily congested traffic as residents who had evacuated rushed back home, turning a drive that typically takes just an hour into an over five-hour journey.

The clean-up operation after Milton for local residents in Florida could take many weeks or months, as the state was one of many hit by Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago.

In a community on the state's west coast, a coffee shop owner was cleaning up her shop.

Another thorny issue for local residents is the shortage of gas.

Shotlist:
Florida, USA - Oct 11, 2024:
1. Various of passengers at Orlando Airport;
2. Various of traffic congestion on way from Orlando Airport to west coast of Florida;
3. Various of damaged facilities, collapsed trees along road seen from moving vehicle;
4. Various of damaged coffee shop, owner cleaning up shop;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Juliet, owner, coffee shop (full name not given):
"So the shop flooded. This whole building actually went up flooding like six inches of water, which is crazy.";
6. Various of damaged building, traffic;
7. Gas tank truck;
8. SOUNDBITE (English) manager, local gas station (name not given) (overlaid with shots 9-12):
"The company told us if we tried reaching out to ask when we're going to get gas, then they're not going to send our gas, and we have to request it when they can. Let's say it's Friday, and they told us it would come Tuesday, and then it still doesn't show up.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
9. Gas station manager walking;
10. Reporter during interview;
11. Gas tank truck;
12. Gas station;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
13. Various of refueling machines out of gas.

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