Hurricane Milton live updates: Florida surveys ‘tragic’ damage in wake of monster storm, dozens of 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 12 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.
Here’s why Duke Energy says you may not see their crews as they work to restore power
“Some customers may not see us as the equipment in need of repair that powers their home may be several blocks away,” Duke Energy said Thursday.
Nearly 70 percent of Tampa Electric customers are without power: CEO
Tampa Electric CEO Archie Collins said Thursday that nearly 600,000 of the utility’s 850,000 customers remain without power on Thursday.
CNN reported that he believes the outage to be the largest in the company’s history.
See Tampa’s crane collapse up close
Disney World, Florida theme parks will reopen on Friday
Walt Disney World said that its theme parks, Disney Springs, and other areas will reopen on Friday.
In Orlando, SeaWorld said it would also resume normal operating hours, although its Spooktacular and Howl-O-Scream events were canceled.
“Our hearts are with all those impacted by Hurricane Milton,” SeaWorld Orlando said.
Universal Orlando will also open for its normal hours.
Orlando international Airport to receive domestic arrivals, departures begin Friday
Biden hammers Trump on hurricane misinformation: ‘Get a life’
President Joe Biden told former President Trump, as Trump spoke Thursday afternoon in Detroit, to “get a life,” sharply rebuking the 2024 Republican presidential candidate for spreading misinformation related to FEMA and the government’s hurricane response.
“Mr. President Trump, former President Trump, get a life man, help these people,” he said.
Biden said that the public would hold Trump accountable.
Pentagon says military working to respond to Milton
Major General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, told reporters Thursday that more than 6,500 members of the Florida National Guard have been activated. Furthermore, an additional 3,000 from 19 states are ready to offer support.
The Army Corps of Engineers has about 250 personnel working on temporary roof support, debris, and more.
Biden blasts Hurricane Milton misinformation
“There are thousands of fellow Americans who are putting their lives at stake to do the dangerous work that needs to be done,” he said.
“And, it’s harmful to those that most need help.”
Oil spills from boats in Punta Gorda marina
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