‘The Whole First Level is Destroyed’: Siesta Key Homeowner Says He’s One of the Lucky Ones

A Siesta Key homeowner is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm.

Extensive Damage, Yet Gratitude for Survival

Despite his home suffering significant damage, the resident, Jim Muszynski, considers himself fortunate. The entire first level of his three-story home was destroyed, but he acknowledges that he is better off compared to many of his neighbors. Muszynski, who moved to Florida from Chicago in 2019 to escape the cold, now finds himself dealing with the brutal realities of Florida’s hurricane season. His once-pristine home has been battered twice within weeks, as debris from Hurricane Helene still littered the area when Hurricane Milton hit.

Governor DeSantis Updates Cleanup Efforts

Governor Ron DeSantis provided an update on Saturday morning regarding recovery efforts. Power has been restored to 2.4 million homes across Florida, but 1.6 million residents remain without electricity. Additionally, the state is facing fuel shortages, particularly in the Tampa Bay area, where gas is hard to find. The Florida Highway Patrol is aiding gas tankers to ensure they reach affected areas and help restore a sense of normalcy. For Muszynski and his community on Palm Island, the impact of Milton was expected to be catastrophic, with forecasts predicting a 15-foot storm surge. However, they were spared the worst, as the actual surge was closer to 8-10 feet. The Siesta Key area, being in the eye of the storm, experienced a unique phenomenon where water was pushed out toward the Gulf, limiting the damage from flooding.

Rebuilding Begins Amid Widespread Destruction

Although spared the full brunt of the storm surge, the damage to Muszynski’s home is still extensive. The entire first floor is in ruins, with walls torn out and furniture discarded as the cleanup and rebuilding efforts commence. Despite the devastation, Muszynski’s three-story home remains standing, a stroke of luck compared to many of his neighbors who live in single-story, ranch-style homes typical of Florida architecture. “All the single-floor ranch homes are gone,” Muszynski explained, reflecting on how his multi-story structure likely saved him from losing everything. While his house requires major repairs, many others in the neighborhood have been left with nothing.

Moving Forward After Milton

Hurricane Milton has left a trail of destruction across Florida, but for residents like Muszynski, the focus is now on rebuilding. As recovery efforts continue, there is a shared sense of resilience among those affected. The road to recovery will be long, but with power being restored and rebuilding efforts underway, communities across Florida are slowly piecing their lives back together.

For many, the devastation from Milton serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of nature, but also of the strength it takes to survive and rebuild in the face of disaster.