Hurricane Irma, a fierce Category 4 storm, battered Florida on September 9–10, destroying homes, knocking out power, and forcing 50,000 people into evacuation shelters.
“People thought thousands and thousands of people [might die], and the number is a very small number, thanks to you,” President Trump told emergency workers during a visit to Florida.
An estimated 6.2 million people were left without electricity, although utility companies had already restored power to 75 percent of affected areas by the time Trump and Vice President Mike Pence arrived September 14. Trump said utility workers were “way ahead of schedule” in restoring power throughout the state.
Following are images from the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, showing the storm’s destructive power as well as the efforts of civilians and the military to get Floridians back on their feet.
