Hurricane Milton updates: 16 dead across Florida in storm's aftermath
Milton forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction.
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.
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Milton makes landfall
Powerful Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds.
Life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds as Milton nears landfall
The massive Category 3 storm is expected to make landfall within the next hour and is bringing life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds on the way.
There have been at least 30 reported tornadoes across Florida.
Sarasota is forecast to have nine to 13 feet of storm surge, Tampa could face six to nine feet and Fort Myers is predicted to face eight to 12 feet of storm surge.
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.
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.
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.