It’s not just what you can see after a hurricane that’s dangerous — it’s what you can’t. As Florida rebuilds in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, an invisible threat lurks in the floodwaters: a potentially deadly bacteria.

Florida health officials are warning of a sharp rise in cases of flesh-eating bacteria.

This flesh-eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, can turn routine post-hurricane cleanup into a life-threatening situation.

Even before Hurricane Milton hit, the Florida Department of Health issued a warning, urging residents to stay out of floodwaters.

Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm coastal waters, especially after storms.

“We have this great climatic event that pushes water where it shouldn’t be. And now the humans are kind of picking up the pieces from the storm. They’re in the waters, or, heaven forbid, they were in the waters during the storm. And now they’ve been exposed to these waterborne pathogens,” said Dr. Norman Beatty, a specialist in infectious diseases at the University of Florida. Beatty is part of a team investigating the rise of Vibrio vulnificus across the state.

Dr. Beatty warns that this bacteria can infect not only through consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, like oysters, but also through cuts or scrapes on the skin — potentially leading to limb amputations.

According to the CDC, around 1 in 5 people infected die, often within just a day or two.

“It really triggers the infection of the skin and soft tissue to cause the tissue to die. And it can happen very rapidly, within hours,” Beatty explained.

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The number of confirmed Vibrio cases in Florida has spiked.

Before Hurricane Helene, there were just six cases. But since Hurricane Milton, that number has surged to 74, with 13 resulting in death.

“Trying to stay protected when we go to assist with hurricane cleanup and recovery, I think, is the most important thing that we can do to be prepared for this,” Beatty said.

While Palm Beach County has recorded two Vibrio-related fatalities this year, they were unrelated to hurricanes. The Treasure Coast has reported no cases so far this year, though St. Lucie County documented one case last year.

Health experts stress the importance of avoiding floodwaters, wearing protective clothing while cleaning up, and seeking medical help at the first sign of infection.