A man stayed alive by holding onto a refrigerator amid the turbulent waves unleashed by Hurricane Milton on Florida's west coast, until he was rescued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) this Thursday. The rescue operation was carried out by a helicopter crew from the USCG Air Station Miami 65, who found the man clinging to the appliance approximately 30 miles (48 km) off Longboat Key in Sarasota County, according to a report from the USCG's District 7 on social media.
In a brief 15-second video of the rescue, a Coast Guard officer is seen descending from the helicopter into the water on a rope, diving in, and reaching the man who had stayed afloat for hours by holding onto the refrigerator. The Sector St. Pete reported losing communication with the individual at around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, but the exact number of hours he drifted in the sea has not been disclosed.
After being rescued, the man was taken to Tampa General Hospital for medical evaluation. Authorities have not released the name of this brave survivor, who found a happy ending amid the devastation left by the powerful Hurricane Milton as it traversed from the west to the east of the Florida peninsula.
Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Sarasota County, around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, already lashing Florida's western coast with the full force of its Category 3 winds and rains, causing widespread flooding and destruction. As it weakened, it continued its destructive path through central Florida, eventually leaving the state with a trail of devastation in its wake.
At least 12 people have died in Florida due to the hurricane or the 19 associated tornadoes that preceded its landfall. Many lives were saved thanks to the heroic efforts of law enforcement agencies active throughout the state.
Remarkable Rescues Amidst the Chaos
In another remarkable incident, a child survived the hurricane by floating on boards and debris in a completely flooded neighborhood in Hillsborough County. Sheriff Chad Chronister and the marine rescue unit from the county Sheriff's Office reached the 14-year-old boy in a boat and rescued him on Thursday. The waters at the site where the boy was found covered the first floor of homes, and rescuers were surveying the area in small boats.
After weakening to a Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale (which has a maximum of 5), Milton continued to wreak havoc as it moved away from Florida's east coast. Severe flooding and significant damage have been reported in several cities, with more than three million homes left without power.
In its latest advisory on Milton, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced that all tropical storm and storm surge warnings in Florida had been lifted but urged people to remain cautious after the storm. Meteorologists expect Milton to gradually weaken as it moves north of the Bahamas. By the afternoon, it had transformed into a post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-strength winds.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the weather system and its effects, providing assistance to those affected by the natural disaster.