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At least 13 dead after Hurricane Milton hits Florida as Category 3 storm

13 people killed | At least 150 tornadoes reported across Florida

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Last updated: Friday, October 11, 2024 9:05AM GMT
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Hurricane Milton barreled into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after plowing across Florida, pounding cities with ferocious winds and rain, and whipping up a barrage of tornadoes. It caused at least 25 deaths and compounded the misery wrought by Helene while sparing Tampa a direct hit.

The storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night in Siesta Key, about 70 miles south of Tampa. While it caused a lot of damage and water levels may continue to rise for days, Gov. Ron DeSantis said it was not "the worst-case scenario."

Key Headlines

Here's how the storm is developing.
Oct 10, 2024, 5:52 PM

PHOTOS | Hurricane Milton

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This image provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shows an aerial view of the extensive flooding on Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office via AP

Hurricane Milton brought powerful winds, a dangerous storm surge and flooding to much of Florida after making landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm.

Here's a look at the damage from the storm.

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Oct 10, 2024, 10:05 PM

More than 3 million without power in Florida

Cars move slowly after Hurricane Milton damaged power lines, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Matlacha, Fla.
Cars move slowly after Hurricane Milton damaged power lines, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Matlacha, Fla.

More than 3 million customers are without power in Florida.

More than 50,000 linemen have been pre-staged across Florida to restore power, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

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Oct 10, 2024, 2:00 AM GMT

Siesta Key where Milton landed is a prosperous area with picturesque beaches

Siesta Key, a barrier island off Sarasota, is a prosperous strip of powdery, white sand beaches and picturesque sunsets, celebrated with a drum circle on Sundays.

Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. "Dr. Beach," named Siesta Beach the United States' best beach in 2017, and MTV's "Siesta Key" gave audiences a reality-show view of the place in recent years.

Many of Siesta Key's about 5,500 residents are of retirement age.

Oct 10, 2024, 1:56 AM GMT

'Life-threatening' flash flood warnings in place for several west-central Florida counties

A flash flood emergency is in effect for Tampa, St. Petersburg, Riverview and Palmetto. Ten to 14 inches of rain have already fallen with rain still pouring down, creating a particularly dangerous situation.

There is a much wider flash flood warning until 11:30 p.m. ET, according to the National Weather Service.

Central Hillsborough County, northern Manatee County and southeastern Pinellas County are under flash flood warnings until 2:30 a.m. ET.

Between 10 and 14 inches of rain have fallen in the region and flash flooding is already occurring, according to the National Weather Service.

"Life-threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses," the agency reported.

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Oct 10, 2024, 1:12 AM GMT

'We have lost some life' from tornadoes, St. Lucie sheriff says

St. Lucie County Sheriff told WPBF-TV "we have lost some life" in tornadoes that hit on the east coast of Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall Wednesday.

First responders were out for reported tornadoes in wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Martin County, St. Lucie County and the Vero Beach Region of Indian River County on the east coast of Florida.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson did not say how many people died, but did say they have asked for search and rescue teams.

Oct 10, 2024, 1:07 AM GMT

Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key, Florida

Hurricane Milton made landfall around 8:30 p.m. near Siesta Key, Florida.

The National Weather Service Doppler radar data indicated Milton made landfall in Sarasota County along the west coast of Florida as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds.

Hurricane Milton has made landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm.
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