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

Milton forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction.

ByKevin Shalvey, Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Julia Reinstein, Leah Sarnoff, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: October 11, 2024, 11:28 PM EDT

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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 10, 2024, 5:53 PM EDT

Fort Pierce resident on storm damage: 'It's like a bomb went off'

Standing near damaged mobile homes, Mike Johnson told ABC News' Eva Pilgrim Thursday that his house was spared after a tornado tore through Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County, though his neighbors weren't so lucky.

An aerial view shows destruction at the Spanish Lakes country club in Fort Pierce, Fla., in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 10, 2024.
John Falchetto/AFP via Getty Images

After he watched the tornado pass, he said he ran out and saw that the roof of his neighbor's home was torn off.

"It's like a bomb went off," he said. "Aluminum everywhere, belongings, vacuum cleaners, everything."

A man collects gas tanks at a gas station destroyed by a tornado after Hurricane Milton made landfall, in Lakewood Park, near Fort Pierce, Fla., Oct. 10, 2024.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters

When he heard people screaming, he ran into the backside of the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, where multiple fatalities were reported at the retirement complex.

He said he found one man deceased on the ground.

"My heart just dropped," he said. "It was gut-wrenching to see him like that."

Oct 10, 2024, 5:22 PM EDT

6 dead in St. Lucie County following tornadoes

Six people are dead in St. Lucie County after powerful tornadoes struck Florida's east coast, county officials said.

Twelve tornadoes were reported in the county within 90 minutes on Wednesday, 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

Oct 10, 2024, 5:16 PM EDT

Sheriff on Wellington storm damage: 'It looks like a war zone'

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said damage to the Wellington area from a suspected tornado on Wednesday was extensive.

Bradshaw told reporters during a press briefing Thursday that he flew in a helicopter to survey the damage from the air.

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

"When you see the devastation from the air, it's amazing, it looks like a war zone," he said.

The sheriff said damage assessments of about 200 homes showed most were uninhabitable.

"I can tell you why: The places I saw looked like it was an atomic bomb that blew it up," Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw said crews are doing more searches with drones now.

Seven people were injured in the storm, officials said.

-ABC News' Matt Foster

Oct 10, 2024, 4:56 PM EDT

No further impacts from Milton expected

Storm surge and tropical storm warnings for Milton have been discontinued, as the storm is racing out to sea.

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