Death toll rises after Milton strikes Florida with powerful 100-mph winds, destructive tornadoes
Milton is being blamed for at least 17 deaths across Florida, including six in St. Lucie County, one in Polk County and four in Volusia County.
Hurricane Milton causes deadly destruction on both Florida coasts
Hurricane Milton left a scar of destruction across Florida from the Gulf Coast to the Space Coast with damaging winds and dozens of reported tornadoes. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reports from Bradenton Beach where the cleanup is ongoing.
TAMPA, Fla. – Hurricane Milton moved off Florida's east coast Thursday morning after making landfall Wednesday evening near Sarasota in Siesta Key. The powerful storm brought destructive winds, widespread power outages affecting over 4 million customers and a significant outbreak of tornadoes across the Sunshine State.
Milton is being blamed for at least 17 deaths across eight counties in Florida.
According to first responders, at least six people were killed in northern Fort Pierce during Wednesday's tornado outbreak spawned by Milton. Sheriff Keith Pearson said the victims were in Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, where a significant tornado moved through on Wednesday.
MULTIPLE DEATHS REPORTED IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY AS TORNADOES DESTROY FLORIDA'S TREASURE COAST
![In this aerial photo, a vehicle drives though a flooded street after Hurricane Milton, in Siesta Key, Florida, on October 10, 2024.]()
Image 1 of 23In this aerial photo, a vehicle drives though a flooded street after Hurricane Milton, in Siesta Key, Florida, on October 10, 2024. At least 10 people were dead after Hurricane Milton smashed into Florida, US authorities said October 10, 2024, after the monster weather system sent tornados spinning across the state and flooded swaths of the Tampa Bay area. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Hurricane Milton in Sarasota, Florida]()
Image 2 of 23Hurricane Milton in Sarasota, Florida ( )
![A crane sits on the street after crashing down into the building housing the Tampa Bay Times offices after the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Milton, which comes just after the recent catastrophic Hurricane Helene, landed into Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm causing extensive flooding and damage.]()
Image 3 of 23A crane sits on the street after crashing down into the building housing the Tampa Bay Times offices after the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Milton, which comes just after the recent catastrophic Hurricane Helene, landed into Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday evening as a Category 3 storm causing extensive flooding and damage. (Spencer Platt)
![Roof ripped off the Bank Of America building in Bradenton, Florida]()
Image 4 of 23Roof ripped off the Bank Of America building in Bradenton, Florida ( )
![Hurricane Milton tornado damage]()
Image 5 of 23Dan Jones points toward a destroyed roof in his backyard after a tornado hit in Fort Myers, Florida on October 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
![Florida Residents Prepare For Hurricane Milton]()
Image 6 of 23Robert Haight salvages what he can from his home after what appeared to be a tornado tore the roof off before Hurricane Milton's arrival on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
![Residents On Florida's West Coast Prepare For Hurricane Milton]()
Image 7 of 23Traffic is heavy as thousands evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton as it churns in the Gulf of Mexico on October 07, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Florida. ( )
![Florida Residents Prepare For Hurricane Milton]()
Image 8 of 23Vehicles fill the road as they drive to the East on I-75 from the West coast of Florida before the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 08, 2024 in Big Cypress, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
![This photo shows the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.]()
Image 9 of 23This photo shows the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (@MyFDOT_Tampa/X)
![Hurricane Milton effects in West Bradenton, Florida.]()
Image 10 of 23Hurricane Milton effects in West Bradenton, Florida. ( )
![Hurricane Milton in West Bradenton, Florida]()
Image 11 of 23Hurricane Milton effects in West Bradenton, Florida. ( )
![Hurricane Milton tornado damage]()
Image 12 of 23Connor Ferran's house is seen after it was hit by a tornado in Fort Myers, Florida on October 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
![Hurricane-force winds rip roof off of Tropicana Field.]()
Image 13 of 23Hurricane-force winds rip roof off of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Zach Abernathy)
![Damage in St. Lucie County from Hurricane Milton.]()
Image 14 of 23Damage in St. Lucie County from Hurricane Milton. ( )
![Possible tornado damage in Martin County, Florida on Oct. 9, 2024.]()
Image 15 of 23Possible tornado damage in Martin County, Florida on Oct. 9, 2024. (Martin County Fire Rescue)
![Possible tornado damage in Martin County, Florida on Oct. 9, 2024.]()
Image 16 of 23Possible tornado damage in Martin County, Florida on Oct. 9, 2024. (Martin County Fire Rescue)
![A damaged home is seen on October 10, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida]()
Image 17 of 23A damaged home is seen on October 10, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Hurricane Milton made landfall on October 9th as a Category 3 in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Saul Martinez/Getty Images) ( )
![A car flipped onto its side is seen on October 10, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.]()
Image 18 of 23A car flipped onto its side is seen on October 10, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Hurricane Milton made landfall on October 9th as a Category 3 in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Saul Martinez/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 19 of 23PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 10: Road ways left damaged by a tornado caused by Hurricane Milton, on October 10, 2024 in Port St Lucie, Florida. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Saul Martinez/Getty Images) ( )
![A crane that collapsed into a building is seen in downtown St. Petersburg due to Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in Florida. At least four people were confirmed killed as a result of two tornadoes triggered by Hurricane Milton on the east coast of the US state of Florida, local authorities said Thursday. (Photo by Bryan R. SMITH / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 20 of 23A crane that collapsed into a building is seen in downtown St. Petersburg due to Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in Florida. At least four people were confirmed killed as a result of two tornadoes triggered by Hurricane Milton on the east coast of the US state of Florida, local authorities said Thursday. (Photo by Bryan R. SMITH / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Residents photograph property damage after Hurricane Milton made landfall in St. Petersburg, Florida, US, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.]()
Image 21 of 23Residents photograph property damage after Hurricane Milton made landfall in St. Petersburg, Florida, US, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. More than 3 million people are without power as of Thursday morning, after Hurricane Milton made landfall and crossed the state. Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![Storm damage to beachside property in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in Venice, Florida.]()
Image 22 of 23Storm damage to beachside property in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024 in Venice, Florida. Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 23 of 23Sand piles in front of buildings after Hurricane Milton in St. Pete Beach, Florida, US, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. More than 3 million people are without power as of Thursday morning, after Hurricane Milton made landfall and crossed the state. Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
As Milton moved across Florida and eventually exited the state on Thursday morning, multiple water rescues were reported in the Orlando area.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, a family of four was rescued from a home and transported to a shelter by Orange County Fire Rescue. The rescue was captured in the video below.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office was also checking on homes in a flooded Orlando neighborhood, where they said the water was chest-deep in some places on Thursday morning.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office waded through chest-deep water to checking on homes in a flooded Orlando neighborhood on Thursday morning, Oct. 10, 2024.
(@OrangeCoSheriff / X)
Earlier Thursday morning, a dramatic scene unfolded in Madeira Beach, a Pinellas County city near St. Petersburg. Just two weeks after Hurricane Helene caused significant flooding, FOX Weather Storm Specialist and Meteorologist Mike Seidel captured a home on fire.
The blaze was likely ignited by a power line brought down by Milton's strong winds.
Milton's aftermath in Florida leaves Madeira Beach home in flames
FOX Weather Storm Specialist and Meteorologist Mike Seidel captured a home on fire in Madeira Beach, Florida, early Thursday morning.
More than 3 million power outages reported in Florida
After racing through Central Florida overnight, Hurricane Milton emerged out over the Atlantic Ocean before sunrise Thursday, but the damage had already been done.
Due to the combination of damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, more than 3 million power outages were reported across Florida on Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. More than 5,000 traffic signals are not operational because of outages and damage.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said about 50,000 linemen are working to restore power across Florida.
(FOX Weather)
Wind gusts reached 102 mph in St. Petersburg, Sarastota and Siesta Key, while the strongest gust in the state was 107 mph south of Sarasota around Venice.
A gust of 92 mph was also recorded in West Palm Beach, likely due to proximity to a tornado. As Milton raced across the Florida Peninsula overnight, an 84-mph wind gust was reported in Daytona Beach around 3:30 a.m. ET Thursday morning. Orlando also clocked a hurricane-force wind gust of 87 mph.
Palm tree topples over as Milton hits St Petersburg
A palm tree was toppled in St. Petersburg, Florida, as Hurricane Milton hit the area on Thursday. Footage posted by the City of St. Petersburg shows the tree lifting out of the ground outside the Moxy Hotel.
Following Wednesday evening's landfall, a Flash Flood Emergency was issued around the Tampa metro after more than 10 inches of rain was reported in less than three hours.
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL TROOPERS RESCUE DOG TIED TO POLE DURING AMID HURRICANE MILTON FLOODWATERS
More than 720 water rescues were completed after Milton's landfall in Hillsborough County by fire rescue teams.
Milton Landfall
(NOAA)
Tropicana Field's roof damaged in St. Petersburg
Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, was damaged during Milton's landfall. The stadium was initially going to be used as a temporary staging location for hundreds of first responders prior to Milton's landfall, but it was moved to another location away from Tropicana Field.
Videos and photos posted to social media showed pieces of the roof flapping in the gusty winds southwest of Tampa.
Hurricane Milton tears through Tropicana Field, leaving Rays home in ruins
Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team on Wednesday evening. The storm's powerful winds ripped off a portion of the stadium's roof, as captured in footage by Jonathan Petramala.
According to local authorities, there were no reports of any injuries associated with the damage to the stadium.
The area experienced wind gusts clocked at more than 100 mph at surface level, with likely higher speeds in multistory structures.
TAMPA, ST. PETERSBURG SLAMMED WITH 100-MPH WINDS FROM HURRICANE MILTON, DAMAGING TROPICANA FIELD
A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
(BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP / Getty Images)
Nearby, a tower crane at a construction site fell onto the buildings below.
Locals said the building had been under construction for years, but the equipment was no match for Mother Nature.
There were no injuries reported in connection with the collapse, but witnesses reported the smell of gas in the air.
A construction crane crashed into a building in downtown St. Pete on Oct. 10, 2024.
(St. Petersburg Police)
Hurricane Milton spawns deadly tornado outbreak in Florida
In addition to the hurricane-force winds and storm surge, Milton has triggered a historic and record-breaking tornado outbreak.
More than 120 Tornado Warnings were issued across Central and South Florida on Wednesday as Hurricane Milton's powerful outer bands found an atmosphere ripe for tornadic development.
WATCH: TORNADO OUTBREAK SPAWNS FROM HURRICANE MILTON AS FUNNEL CLOUDS SWIRL IN SOUTH FLORIDA
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, located along the state's east coast, reported at least five fatalities associated with a tornado that struck a community in northern Fort Pierce.
First responders were seen going from home to home north of Fort Pierce in search for victims.
Tornado destroys building outside St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
More than a dozen tornadoes were reported in the outer rainbands of Hurricane Milton across Florida
Stunning videos from Florida Department of Transportation cameras along Interstate 75 in Alligator Alley between Broward and Palm Beach counties captured the destructive force of Milton's extreme weather in the state.
FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell happened upon tornado damage in Fort Myers.
(FOX Weather)
Sarasota Mayor Liz Alper received a phone call from President Joe Biden directly after his news conference on Milton.
Biden assured Florida residents that the federal government would provide significant assistance for rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts in affected communities.
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Roof damaged from Hurricane Milton's outer bands in Sarasota
The roof of a home and the entry to a neighborhood in Sarasota, Florida, were damaged during Hurricane Milton's approach on Florida.
"The President wanted to see if there is anything we need in Sarasota to let him know," Alpert said. "He understands this is going to be an unprecedented type of hurricane and also understands it will take a lot from the federal government to help us recover in Sarasota."
Alpert said she also received a call of support from Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg earlier in the week as they prepared for the historic storm.
At least 340 people were rescued by first responders in Sarasota after landfall, DeSantis said.
Transformer explosions light up the skies over Lakeland during Hurricane Milton
Hurricane-force wind gusts triggered millions of power outages across Florida Wednesday as Milton roared onshore, including a 76 mph gust in Lakeland. (Video courtesy: Chelsea Torres)
The hurricane’s power caused the National Hurricane Center and local National Weather Service offices to warn of a life-threatening storm surge that, in some communities, was forecast to eclipse records set during the 1920s.
Due to the overall weather pattern, which was a bit unusual for October, upper-level winds helped to broaden the hurricane’s width in the moments before landfall but also led to substantial weakening.
A drone image shows a flooded street due to Hurricane Milton in Siesta Key, Florida, on October 10, 2024. At least four people were confirmed killed as a result of two tornadoes triggered by Hurricane Milton on the east coast of the US state of Florida, local authorities said Thursday.
(Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP / Getty Images)
The once-Category 5 hurricane formed in the Bay of Campeche on Oct. 5 and rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane within the system’s first 72 hours as a tropical cyclone.
Milton’s intensity made it the fifth-strongest cyclone on record in the Atlantic Basin, only falling short of records held by Wilma (2005), Gilbert (1988) Labor Day (1935) and Rita (2005).
Hurricane Milton made landfall Thursday evening in Siesta Key, Florida.
(FOX Weather)
Shelters were opened from Jacksonville along the Treasure Coast for both local residents and evacuees from the opposite coast.
Conditions were extreme enough around Central Florida and Orlando that police and fire crews stopped responding to some calls and encouraged residents to shelter in place.
Storm damage is seen in Coco Beach, Florida, from Hurricane Milton.
(FOX Weather)