The impact of Hurricane Milton in Florida
Hurricane Milton struck Florida on October 9, leaving destruction in its wake.
The storm, which peaked at category five, caused severe structural damage and flash flooding across the state.
Among the most alarming incidents was the collapse of a construction crane onto a building in St. Petersburg.
Hurricane Milton caused Crane collapse
As Hurricane Milton raged, a crane toppled onto a nearby residential building. Reports indicate that the crane fell onto 400 Central, a residential block in St. Petersburg.
The hurricane, classified as a category three at landfall, caused chaos during the night, obscuring the extent of the damage until dawn.
Meteorologist Joey Krastel from the Maryland Department of Emergency Management shared harrowing images of the aftermath.
The photos depict debris scattered across the street and the crane’s wreckage on the building. He described the incident, saying, “The crane that came down at St. Pete’s obliterated the corner of the adjacent building.”
Public outcry and concerns about Crane safety
@abcnews Video shows damage from street level after construction crane collapsed in Hurricane Milton’s winds in St. Petersburg, Florida. #news #weather #florida #milton #hurricane
On Twiiter, a user who goes by @NimbusStorms shared horrible image showed Hurricane Milton caused Crane collapse and significant damaged.
The post has the caption: “The crane that came down at St Pete’s.
Came down and obliterated the corner of the adjacent building”.
In the wake of the crane collapse, many are questioning why the crane remained standing as the storm approached. Concerns about the cranes in St. Petersburg had already surfaced before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
One outraged observer commented, “Whoever was allowed to leave that up should have to come out and clean this up tomorrow!! What a liability to life and property.”
Another person added, “They need to fine the hell out of whoever left it unsecured.”
A third critic asked, “They warned in advance that these cranes could be a problem — why didn’t they move them?”
Someone else said: Looks like a Batman movie
Another user added: Whoever was allowed to leave that up should have to come out and clean this up tomorrow!! What the hell! What a liability to life and property
Official response to Crane concerns
Mayor Ken Welch addressed the public’s concerns during an interview with Fox 13 News. He explained the challenges of securing cranes ahead of the storm, stating, “This was a tropical storm that turned into one of the strongest storms in our nation’s history very rapidly.” Welch acknowledged the need for improved procedures in future storm preparations but emphasized the unprecedented nature of the hurricane’s strength.
“We’ve never had a storm this powerful with winds this strong that would require that,” he added.
The collapse of the crane during Hurricane Milton highlights the dangers posed by extreme weather events.
As residents assess the damage, questions about safety protocols and preparedness for future storms will remain at the forefront of discussions. The community is left grappling with the impact of Hurricane Milton and seeking answers to prevent similar incidents in the future.