Hurricane Milton live updates: At least nine dead as Florida wakes up to survey damage from floods, tornadoes
Multiple fatalities have already been reported as Hurricane Milton continues to wreak havoc as it moves off Florida’s east coast
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At least nine people have died after Hurricane Milton devastated portions of Florida, leaving residents waking up to survey the damage.
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday night near Sarasota County’s Siesta Key, bringing multiple tornadoes, 28ft waves, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and devastating storm surge.
Four people in St Lucie County retirement village have been killed by tornadoes brought on by the hurricane after a dozen twisters spawned in the region within 20 minutes.
Ferocious winds caused a crane to collapse into the The Tampa Bay Times in St Petersburg, while the roof of Tropicana Field baseball stadium has been left in disrepair.
More than 3.3m homes and businesses in Florida have been left powerless, with those in the west-central region the worst impacted.
Evacuation alerts were blasted out to millions, with Bradenton Police Chief Melanie issuing a bleak prognosis for those who neglected advice. “What we’ll probably be finding in the morning are bodies,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today program on Thursday morning.
After landfall, Milton has weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and is moving off Florida’s east coast – with residents still battling against brutal winds and storm surge.
Stephen King slams ‘sulky teenager’ DeSantis for his response to Hurricane Milton
Author Stephen King has laid into Florida governor Ron DeSantis for his response to Hurricane Milton, as the huge storm batters the US state, already causing “multiple deaths”.
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday night near Sarasota County’s Siesta Key, bringing multiple tornadoes, 28ft waves, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and devastating storm surge.
Evacuation alerts were blasted out to millions, with Bradenton Police Chief Melanie issuing a bleak prognosis for those who neglected advice.
Greg Evans has the full story.
Stephen King slams ‘sulky teenager’ DeSantis for his response to Hurricane Milton
The Florida governor refused to take a phone call from Kamala Harris about the storm that ‘seemed political’
Volusia County sees three deaths, bringing toll up to nine
Volusia County Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood confirmed to NBC News Thursday morning that three people had died there.
“One person died after a tree fell, he didn’t know at this point how the other two died,” he said.
USF tells students not to come back to campus until it is safe
“Teams from USF are beginning an assessment of all campuses this morning. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority,” the University of South Florida said. “The university will provide an update later today. Please do not come back to campus until notified that it is safe to return.”
Boats deployed in morning rescue operations as towns and cities plunged underwater
Flooding fills roads of Hillsborough County, sinkholes open
Trump posts message to Floridians: We’ll come back ‘better than before'
“We are deeply saddened by the devastation being reported,” former President Donald Trump said in a video message.
“The sun will shine again over the beautiful Florida that we love so much,” he said.
“Together we will come back better than before.”
Hillsborough County authorities rescue more than 135 residents from assisted living facility in Tampa
St. Petersburg Police: 2 dead in city
St. Petersubrg Police said there were two Milton-related deaths in the city, including a “medical” incident and “someone [who] was found in a park,” according to NBC News.
The announcement brings the number of confirmed fatalities from the hurricane up to six.
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