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LIVE: Hurricane Milton makes landfall as more than 2 million left without power amid 120mph winds and flash flooding
9 October 2024, 08:36 | Updated: 10 October 2024, 05:54
Hurricane Milton has closed in on Florida bringing with it "unsurvivable" 165mph winds - as millions of people have evacuated or are taking shelter.
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Tornadoes and severe flooding were seen across the state on Wednesday - as the Category 3 "storm of the century" made landfall on the west coast.
The National Hurricane Center said the hurricane had been "growing in size" as it neared the coast, however it was also downgraded from Category 4 to 3.
The 11 Florida counties under mandatory evacuation orders are home to about 5.9 million people.
Earlier, President Joe Biden urged people under evacuation orders to leave to "evacuate now, now, now."
"It's a matter of life and death, and that's not hyperbole," the US president said.
Read more: Residents urged to leave as Hurricane Milton strengthens
Governor Ron DeSantis said the state deployed over 300 dump trucks that had removed 1,300 loads of debris left behind by Hurricane Helene.
Fluctuations in the storm's intensity are likely while Milton moves across the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Centre said, but it is expected to be a dangerous storm when it reaches Florida.
Follow our live blog for updates.
Key updates:
- Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota County, Florida (8.30pm local time)
- Two hurricane-related deaths in St Lucie County
- Almost 3 million left without power
- Tampa hit by flash flooding
- Gusts of wind reach 120mph
At least 11 dead from Hurricane Milton
The latest increase comes after a tree fell on a vehicle in Citrus County, killing the driver.
Other deaths recorded include two in Pinellas County, three in Volusia County, and five in St Lucie County.
Biden blasts Trump for spreading misinformation about response to Milton
Speaking at the White House on the government's work to address hurricanes Milton and Helene, the president condemned the "reckless, irresponsible and relentless disinformation and outright lies that continue to flow".
The White House, and Mr Biden personally, have spent days criticising Mr Trump for making false claims about the disaster response, including that federal funding is being diverted for use on people in the country illegally and that such assistance is capped at 750 dollars (£575).
The 750 dollars is an immediate need disbursement, Mr Biden explained, to cover urgent requirements like food, nappies and baby formula.
Footage shows rescue of 14-year-old boy
Heart-warming footage shows the rescue of a 14-year-old boy floating on a piece of debris.
'Tragic 24 hours', commissioners says
“This has been a tragic 24 hours,” St. Lucie County Commissioner George Landry said during a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing in the county - where five people have been confirmed dead.
At least nine tornadoes plowed through St. Lucie County on Wednesday, including three in less than 25 minutes.
Milton classified as post-tropical cyclone
Milton is now classified as a post-tropical cyclone, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The NHC says tropical storm conditions and storm surge are still occurring over portions of the southeastern U.S. coast.
Ten confirmed dead
At least ten people are known to have died in tornadoes caused by Hurricane Milton - which has brought damage and destruction to Florida.
Residents are being told not to visit areas which have been badly affected with more flooding expected in the coming days.
80,000 people spent the night in shelters with almost half a metre of rain falling on the state.
'Dozens of rescues' taking place - but storm 'did not produce worst-case scenario'
Florida governor Ron DeSantis said massive power outages were expected but thousands have already been restored.
"You're probably going to be okay on the east coast of Florida," he said.
He added that there had been "dozens of rescues" but his sense was that it "will stabilise".
"We can say the storm did not produce the worst-case scenario in terms of storm surge," he said.
"Over 36 hours ago the fear was category 4 producing about 15ft of storm surge - that did not end up happening.
"Not the worse case scenario."
Death toll rises to 10
Ten people have now been confirmed dead from Hurricane Milton.
Five were killed in tornadoes in St Lucie County ahead of the storm - up from the previously reported four.
