Hurricane losses continue to mount

PANAMA CITY, FLA. — Trees brought down by hurricane Michael’s ferocious winds took a heavy toll on life, property and the timber industry in the heavily forested Florida Panhandle, where US$3 billion in timber was lost, authorities said Friday.

A firefighter became the latest death when he was killed by a tree while helping clear debris with family members more than a week after Michael blew ashore with 410 km/h winds.

That brought the storm’s death toll in Florida to 25, and 35 overall — where, in addition to tree falls, deaths came when the storm decimated homes with winds and storm surge, cut power to those reliant on electricity for medical care and swept away cars in flash floods.