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, 6:46 AM EDT

Over 2,200 flights canceled, at least 6 airports closed

Over 2,200 flights have been canceled across the country on Thursday as Hurricane Milton pummels Florida.

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport all closed for the storm.

The Florida Division of Emergency Services said it has partnered with Uber to provide free rides to and from shelters.

Oct 10, 2024, 6:28 AM EDT

Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral experiencing flash flooding

More than 8 inches of rain pummeled Daytona Beach on Florida’s east coast overnight, causing flash flooding Thursday morning.

The flooding and hurricane-force wind gusts are ongoing from Daytona Beach to Cape Canaveral.

Oct 10, 2024, 4:34 AM EDT

Milton passing into Atlantic Ocean

Hurricane Milton is now heading out into the Atlantic Ocean as a Category 1 hurricane, having completed its swing across Florida.

A car is seen parked as it rains heavily in Fort Myers, Fla., Oct. 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

The eye of the storm is now passing past Cape Canaveral, having taken less than eight hours to make its way across the Florida peninsula.

Wind speed remains at around 85 mph, with movement northeast at 18 mph.

-ABC News' Kenton Gewecke

Oct 10, 2024, 1:24 AM EDT

Milton becomes Category 1 storm

Hurricane Milton is now a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds at about 90 mph.

The storm is moving east-northeast at about 16 mph, as a flash flood emergency continues over portions of west-central Florida.

An American flag waves as Hurricane Milton approaches, in Orlando, Florida, October 9, 2024.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters

-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen

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