Aftermath of Hurricane Milton in Sarasota: Hope for Swift Recovery Ahead of ICF SUP World Championships
Hurricane Milton recently swept through Florida, leaving significant damage in its wake, particularly in Sarasota and the surrounding areas. The storm, which is being described as one of the worst ever experienced in the region, caused widespread flooding, power outages, and structural damage. Despite the devastation, local efforts are already underway to restore normalcy.
Our friend Josh Riccio, who serves in the Bradenton Fire Department and is also the record holder of the M2O in the 14′ board class, offered his insights on the recovery efforts. He shared:
“Yeah, definitely was a crazy storm for so many parts of Florida, worst our area has ever seen for sure… I’d bet the ICF should be good to run in 5 weeks; cleanup efforts like this move pretty fast on the mainland.”
Photo: Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Indeed, Florida has shown remarkable resilience in the face of natural disasters, and early signs indicate that the recovery process is progressing swiftly. Sarasota’s infrastructure is being repaired, and cleanup crews are working around the clock. Given the pace of recovery, we can cautiously conclude that the ICF SUP World Championships, scheduled to take place in five weeks, should be able to proceed as planned.
As the community continues to rebuild, there’s hope that the event will not only bring people together but also showcase the spirit and resilience of the region.