Hurricane’s fury can benefit wetlands, such as at Myakka River State Park

It can play an important role in shaping healthy, albeit dramatically changed, ecosystems.

Hurricane Milton significantly impacted Myakka River State Park, downing and damaging trees. With water levels in the park already high since Tropical Storm Debby, Myakka’s floodplain marshes overflowed, flooding most roads in the park.

Thankfully, overall damage was substantially less than resulted from Hurricane Ian. Infrastructure impact to the park, which is minimally developed by design, was relatively minor.

Hurricanes bring with them a fury of strong wind, drenching rain, and even tornadoes. By rapidly driving natural ecological processes such as erosion, debris deposition and vegetational succession, they play an important role in shaping healthy, albeit dramatically changed, ecosystems.

When trees are downed, a hammock’s canopy opens, allowing different plants to grow due to increased sunlight. This process supports new growth as well as biodiversity.