Hurricane Milton live updates: Death toll rises after monster storm strikes Florida with tornadoes, flooding, wind
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 11 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.
Milton-related death toll rises to 10
There have been at least 10 storm-related deaths in Florida following Hurricane Milton.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis five people had been killed in tornadoes in St. Lucie County, up from four deaths that were confirmed earlier this morning.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says he spoke with Biden this morning
“I spoke with the president this morning,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Thursday. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was on the call with him in Tallahassee.
“I appreciate being able to collaborate across the federal, state, and local governments and work together to put the people first.”
Governor Ron DeSantis on need for fuel: ‘We’ve got to keep bringing fuel into this state'
“I also think you’re probably going to see a lot of the stores and gas stations reopen fairly quickly -- at least that’s our hope,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at a press briefing early Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve got to keep bringing fuel into this state,” he said.
Photos show rescuers working in Clearwater
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