Over the last few days, Hurricane Irma has been relentless and unforgiving. Florida, along with Caribbean Islands, have suffered catastrophic results ranging from flooding to even fifty-four recorded fatalities thus far.

Irma fluctuated between a category 3 to category 5 storm as it tumbled though the Caribbean and Virgin Islands. A significant amount of homes and buildings were demolished leaving thousands of people homeless, and there have been numerous complaints about a lack of assistance proceeding the destruction.

After the storm payed its visit to the Islands, Irma reached Florida.

The coverage of the storm’s winds was 70,000 square miles. That’s larger than the area of Florida, which is 65,000 square miles. Irma’s diameter was about 300 miles which is TWICE as along as Florida’s peninsula. And to top it off, there were wind speeds up to 185 miles per hour.

With more than twenty million people located within the five day forecast, these numbers were just a recipe for disaster, and disaster indeed struck.

The most important aspect after any natural disaster is always the amount of lives saved or lost. Unfortunately, the death toll in the U.S. has climbed to seventeen. However, Hurricane Andrews’ death toll was sixty-five, so in a way the storm proved to be a bit less dangerous to civilians.

Millions of Florida residents are still without power, but already 2.3 million customers have power back, which is 40% of those who lost power across Florida. 4.7 million are still without power as of Tuesday afternoon.

The previously evacuated Floridians are stacked tightly together in traffic awaiting to return to their hurricane-trailed state to asses the damage. President Trump also announced he will be making a visit to Florida on Thursday (possibly motivated by the destruction of his beach houses).

Florida Keys

Florida Keys was one of the most affected areas flowing Hurricane Irma. Keys was isolated from Florida’s mainland for a few days after Irma came through with 130 mile per hour winds, and a storm surge of ten feet. At least one person died due to the disaster Sunday Morning.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said the storm left “devastation” on the Keys, which were under mandatory evacuation orders during Irma.

Thousands of Florida Key’s population parked their cars along U.S. 1 Monday, staying there through the night awaiting access to get into the keys. But water, power, sewer, medical services and cell service are still limited according to Monroe county officials.

Florida’s Department of Transportation is also today working to repair two 300-foot stretches of road on the Keys that was washed out.

Miami

Miami was also heavily destructed by the storm, and Miami beach residents were advised to return the same morning Florida Keys was. some businesses even removed boards and debris from the aftermath preparing to reopen as soon as possible.

Miami’s iconic Ocean Drive was under heavy construction and was enveloped in sand from the storm surge and the wind. The area was also draped in fallen palm trees and street signs, but there were little signs or significant damage to the buildings lining the street.

Jacksonville and Charleston

Although the main focus has been revolving around Florida, areas such as Jacksonville as well as South Carolina and Georgia have been flooded as well.

When water raced through the streets of Jacksonville, it brought record levels of storm surge along the coast and inland rivers. Over 350 people were rescued from the flooding, but no casualties were reported there.

All-in-all, Hurricane Irma provided the damage just as almost everyone expected. However, the assistance and rapid fire correspondence that is taking place is a reminder of the brightest side of human nature.

Unfortunately, it most commonly takes events such as these to unite our nation as one, striving for one goal. It is amazing what we are willing to drop to help out a neighbor, near or far.