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 11, 2024, 11:27 PM EDT

More than 1.8 million without power in Florida

More than 1.8 million customers remain without power in Florida on Friday evening.

Over 3 million customers lost power at the height of the storm.

Duke Energy said it plans to restore power by Sunday night in Brevard, Citrus, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties. Power is expected to be restored in Pasco and Pinellas counties by Tuesday night.

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

Oct 11, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed until Oct. 16

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport will stay closed until Oct. 16. Concourse B lost its entire roof, airport officials said, as they shared photos of the destruction.

Flights resumed at Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport on Friday and the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will reopen on Saturday.

Oct 11, 2024, 3:57 PM EDT

Nearly 30% of Florida gas stations without fuel

Over 29% of gas stations across Florida are without fuel on Friday afternoon, according to GasBuddy.

The Tampa/St. Petersburg region is the hardest hit, with 77% of gas stations empty.

"The issue is not a lack of gasoline, but the difficulty of transporting it from the port to gas stations due to flooding," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Friday. "We expect trucks to start refueling stations by the end of the day, but in the meantime, conserve fuel if possible."

Oct 11, 2024, 3:09 PM EDT

Rising floodwaters prompt new evacuation orders in Hernando, Pasco counties

Authorities in Hernando and Pasco counties on Florida’s west coast are urging some residents to evacuate immediately due to rising floodwaters.

"Pasco County is experiencing historical flooding in low-lying areas and in several neighborhoods around the county near our rivers and lakes," officials wrote on social media. "Water is quickly rising in these areas, and we encourage you to LEAVE and get to higher ground NOW."

Hernando County fire officials said, "If you reside near the Withlacoochee River, please LEAVE NOW because water is rising quickly."

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