Oct 09, 2024, 8:01 PM EDT
Milton is close to making landfall
Hurricane Milton is quickly approaching landfall along the coast of west-central Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Milton updates: 16 dead across Florida in storm's aftermath
Milton forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction.
Last Updated: October 11, 2024, 11:28 PM EDT
At least 16 people have died from Hurricane Milton, which roared onshore on Florida's west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing tornadoes, powerful winds and flooding rains. The monster storm forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction across Florida.
Latest headlines:
- Oct 11, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT
- Oct 11, 2024, 11:27 PM EDT
- Oct 11, 2024, 3:57 PM EDT
- Oct 11, 2024, 3:09 PM EDT
Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 09, 2024, 7:57 PM EDT
125 homes destroyed in tornado outbreak, Florida official says
An estimated 125 homes have been destroyed amid a "life-threatening" tornado outbreak ahead of Milton's landfall, according to Kevin Guthrie, the head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Florida's east coast has had "a lot of tornadic activity" that has resulted in structural damage, he said during a press briefing Wednesday evening.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Based on preliminary information, about 125 homes have been destroyed, "most of them mobile homes and senior communities," he said.
"So we're trying to get into Florida's most vulnerable to make sure they're taken care of," he added.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said there have been 116 tornado warnings issued on Wednesday, with 19 confirmed touchdowns.
Oct 09, 2024, 7:49 PM EDT
'Too dangerous to evacuate safely': DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged residents who haven't evacuated to stay inside as conditions deteriorate and the northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton is beginning to move onshore.
"At this point, it's too dangerous to evacuate safely," DeSantis said during a press briefing Wednesday evening.
5:20
ABCNews.com
"The storm is here, it's time for everybody to hunker down," he added.
DeSantis detailed the state's emergency response, including search and rescue personnel ready to go.
"We hope that there's not a big need for that, but we're prepared for that," he said.
The state has inspectors ready to clear bridges once the storm passes and "massive amounts of fuel reserves" ready to go once people are able to return to their homes, the governor said.
Oct 09, 2024, 7:27 PM EDT
Northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton moves ashore in Florida
The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton has come ashore in Florida with 120 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said.
NOAA
"The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton is beginning to move onshore of the Florida gulf coast near Tampa and St. Petersburg where an Extreme Wind Warning is now in effect. Please shelter in place as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds overspread the region," the NHC warned.
