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Hurricane Milton live updates: 10 fatalities confirmed

Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane.

ByKevin Shalvey, Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Julia Reinstein, Leah Sarnoff, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: October 10, 2024, 4:56 PM EDT

At least 10 fatalities have been confirmed 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:

Here's how the news is developing.
2:07 PM EDT

5 killed in tornadoes in St. Lucie County

Five people were killed in the powerful tornadoes that struck St. Lucie County on Florida's east coast, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

Twelve tornadoes were reported in the county within 90 minutes, prompting over 900 calls to 911, county officials said.

County Administrator George Landry praised the commitment of first responders, saying, "During the storm, our emergency personnel were literally dodging tornadoes to reach residents."

A drone view shows a house destroyed by a tornado as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 9, 2024.
Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters

Alexa Haight hugs her grandfather Robin Haight before he is taken to the hospital by medics after getting injured by a reported tornado that hit his house in Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 9, 2024.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

At least 38 tornadoes were reported across Florida on Wednesday. There were 126 tornado warnings issued in South Florida -- the most on record for the state and the second-highest for any state in one day.

A damaged home after a tornado touched down before Hurricane Milton's arrival, Oct. 9, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida.
WZVN

-ABC News’ Jason Volack

1:58 PM EDT

More than 3.2 million without power in Florida

More than 3.2 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.

In this aerial view, flood waters inundate a neighborhood after Hurricane Milton came ashore on Oct. 10, 2024, in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Damage to a home after a tornado ripped through The Preserve development as Hurricane Milton tracked across Florida, in Wellington, Fla., Oct. 10, 2024.
Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via Reuters

1:03 PM EDT

How to help communities impacted by Hurricane Milton

As Floridians come together to pick up the pieces amid extensive flooding, debris pileup, tornado damage and more, various charities and nonprofits are raising funds and accepting donations to support rescue and relief efforts.

Click here for a list of organizations.

Marie Cook reacts to the damage to her home in the Binks Estates community after a tornado formed by Hurricane Milton touched down striking homes in The Preserve and Binks Estate among others in its path in Wellington, Fla., Oct. 9, 2024.
Bill Ingram/Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via Reuters

1:01 PM EDT

Video captures moment 14-year-old boy is rescued from floodwaters

In Hillsborough County, which encompasses Tampa, responders captured the moment they rescued a 14-year-old boy who had been trapped and floating on debris after he was submerged in floodwaters.

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