Hurricane Milton updates: 16 dead across Florida in storm's aftermath

Officials in St. Petersburg issued a public safety advisory Tuesday for residents and businesses near tower cranes ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall in Florida.

Due to anticipated wind gusts from the storm exceeding 100 mph, the high winds could potentially exceed the safe operational limits for tower cranes and pose a risk of malfunction, the city said in a press release.

"Lowering or securing a tower crane is scheduled weeks in advance and is not a feasible option within the timeframe of an approaching storm due to the rapid intensification and forecasted path," the city said.

The four construction sites of "particular concern" are 400 Central Ave. (downtown), 275 1st Ave. S (downtown) 1000 1st Ave. N (downtown) and 101 Main St. N (Carillon), according to the city.

Ahead of Hurricane Milton's impact, the mayor of Bradenton, Florida, joined ABC News Live Tuesday to issue a grave warning to residents who are not planning to evacuate.

"Get out of these areas because we can replace your home, we can't replace your life," Mayor Gene Brown said. "And we don't want to be finding bodies floating in rivers -- and we've seen that before," he added.

Bradenton lies on the west coast of Florida, sitting in the middle of the forecast path for Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to make landfall between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Brown added that a local sheriff is advising those who do not evacuate to "Write your name on your arm so we can identify you. We're all talking the same way," Brown said.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan urged residents to prepare for Hurricane Milton's impact in a press conference Tuesday.

Deegan asked residents to "batten down the hatches" and hunker down until conditions improve.

"We are expecting river flooding at the height of the storm, with peak tides carrying into Thursday evening," said Deegan. "We're asking everyone to stay off the roads. If you haven't already decided where you'll shelter, please do so now and stay there."

-ABC News' Jason Volack

In stunning video footage taken by NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, Hurricane Milton is seen from space as it makes its way toward landfall.

Dominick shared the video on X, which he captured through the window of the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which is docked at the International Space Station (ISS).

0:41

Timelapse video shows Hurricane Milton as seen from spaceTimelapse footage captured by NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick shows Hurricane Milton as the powerful storm churned through the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.

ABCNews.com