Charlotte Foster
Travel Trouble

Man clinging to esky rescued after Hurricane Milton ravages entire state

A man has been dramatically rescued after he drifted more than 50km out to sea after being hit by the terrifying storm of Hurricane Milton. 

The record-breaking storm system ravaged the US state of Florida on Thursday, as the death toll has risen to 14 at the time of writing.

One fisherman survived the storm by clinging to an esky and was rescued by the US Coast Guard in the Gulf of Mexico after his boat was stranded overnight in dangerous waters.

“This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner,” Lieutenant Commander Dana Grady of the US Coast Guard said of the dramatic rescue.

“To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75 to 90mph winds, 20- to 25-foot (six to seven metre ) seas, for an extended period of time to include overnight."

“He survived because of a lifejacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon and a cooler.”

The storm swept through the city of Tampa, causing widespread destruction throughout the south-east of the state, with many residents now dealing with power outages and extensive debris. 

Amongst those stranded during the flash flooding were 135 residents of an aged care home, with many  wheelchair-bound residents spending the night sitting in water up to their waste before they were rescued the next morning.

“This is a neighbourhood that doesn’t have a lot … They’ve lost everything,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister told CNN.

“These are people who live day-to-day and they have nothing … Your heart shatters for these people.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, “We’ll survey the damage and get people back on their feet – we’ll get through this.”

Image credits: Instagram - US Coast Guard

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travel trouble, Hurricane Milton, rescue, Florida