Hurricane Milton live updates: Milton spares Florida 'worst-case scenario'

Hurricane Milton’s heavy rains sparked a flash-flood emergency for the Tampa Bay area.

Tampa has recorded 1 foot of rain, while Lakeland -- about 35 miles inland from Tampa -- saw 10 inches of rain.

Fifteen people, including young children, were rescued from a Tampa home Wednesday night when a tree fell on top of the house and water rushed inside, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on Thursday is urging residents to stay inside and off the roads, warning, "It's not over."

-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway

Over 2,200 flights have been canceled across the country on Thurssday 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.

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.

At least 36 tornadoes were reported across Florida on Wednesday as Hurricane Milton came ashore.

There were 133 tornado warnings issued in South Florida -- the most on record for the state and the second-highest for any state in one day.

Multiple fatalities were reported at a St. Lucie County retirement community following a suspected tornado, Sheriff Keith Pearson told ABC News.

Across the state, at least 125 homes have been destroyed, according to Kevin Guthrie, the head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.