Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida on October 9th, has had a significant impact on the state’s job market. The U.S. Department of Labor reported a sharp increase in unemployment claims for the week ending October 19th, with 10,574 initial claims filed. This marks the highest weekly total since the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
The surge in claims is likely attributed to job losses and business disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton’s widespread damage. The previous week, ending October 12th, saw 6,299 claims, indicating a substantial increase in unemployment following the storm.
READ: Over 80 Arrested For Post-Hurricane Looting And Scams In Pinellas County
For comparison, Florida recorded as many as 14,934 unemployment claims in the weeks following Hurricane Ian in 2022.
While Florida experienced this hurricane-related increase, the national trend showed a decrease in unemployment claims. Nationally, claims fell by 15,000 to 227,000 for the same week.
Florida’s unemployment rate has held steady at 3.3% since April. However, the impact of Hurricane Milton on the state’s economy and employment landscape is still unfolding.
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