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

PHOTO: A water rescue boat moves in flood waters at an apartment complex in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 10, 2024, in Clearwater, Fla.
5:46
Mike Stewart/AP
Florida rescuers work tirelessly in Hurricane Milton's wake
By Kevin Shalvey, Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Julia Reinstein, Leah Sarnoff, Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: October 12, 2024, 3:27 AM

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:

  • Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed until Oct. 16
  • More than 1.8 million without power in Florida
  • Nearly 30% of Florida gas stations without fuel
  • Rising floodwaters prompt new evacuation orders in Hernando, Pasco counties
Here's how the news is developing.

Oct 12, 2024 3:27 AM

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.

PHOTO: 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
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
PHOTO: 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
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 8:45 PM

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.

SRQ has suffered the loss of its entire roof over concourse B that covers the screening checkpoint, and all 13 aircraft loading gates⛈️📌SRQ will remain closed until October 16th, at 9 am. The SRQ team is hard at work, we thank you for your understanding💚 pic.twitter.com/7tlg0jEsWB

— SRQ Airport (@SRQAirport) October 11, 2024

Oct 11, 2024 7:57 PM

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 6:53 PM

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."

Pasco County is experiencing historical flooding in low-lying areas and in several neighborhoods around the county near our rivers and lakes. Water is quickly rising in these areas, and we encourage you to LEAVE and get to higher ground NOW.If you must travel around the county,… pic.twitter.com/lgrtbi6vb8

— Pasco County PIO (@PascoCountyPIO) October 11, 2024

Oct 08, 2024 12:09 AM

DeSantis refuses call from Harris about hurricane aid

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to take a call from Vice President Kamala Harris within the last several days about hurricane response because his team believes the call was politically motivated, according to a source close to the governor.

DeSantis staffers also said the governor has not spoken to President Joe Biden in at least the last few days.

PHOTO: An American flag fly's upside down, the international sign for distress, at a home ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in the middle of this week in Treasure Island, Fla., Oct. 7, 2024.
Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images
An American flag fly's upside down, the international sign for distress, at a home ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in the middle of this week in Treasure Island, Fla., Oct. 7, 2024.
Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

DeSantis later said he was unaware the vice president had reached out. "No, I didn’t know she called me. I saw [the report], but I was not aware of that,” he said.

The governor also said he had not spoken to Biden but noted he was "thankful" that Biden "has approved what we asked for."

Harris hit back against the purported snub, calling it "utterly responsible" and "selfish" to play "political games" at a time of crisis.

"People are in desperate need of support right now and playing political games with this moment, in these crisis situations, these are the height of emergency situations, it's utterly irresponsible, and it is selfish," Harris told reporters before boarding Air Force Two on Monday afternoon.

The governor did speak with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Sunday, and federal officials are continuing to work with state emergency managers to prepare for Hurricane Milton’s landfall.

DeSantis' refusal to take Harris' call was first reported by NBC News.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that the administration is still working with state and local officials to make sure that teams are pre-positioned ahead of Milton’s landfall.

Editor's note: This post has been updated.

-ABC News’ Will McDuffie and Jay O’Brien


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