Hurricane Milton Knocks Out Power to Millions, Spawns Tornadoes Across Florida; At Least 14 Dead

St. Petersburg: The Hurricane Milton in Florida has caused widespread damage to life and property. Apart from buildings being destroyed, the hurricane has also claimed multiple lives; the rescue teams have evacuated thousands of people and the locals are also experiencing a massive power outage in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton: Death Toll Reaches 14

The hurricane in Florida has claimed at least 14 lives so far. Rescue teams plucked Florida residents from the flotsam of Hurricane Milton on Thursday after the storm smashed through coastal communities where it tore homes into pieces, filled streets with mud and spawned a barrage of deadly tornadoes. 

Five people were killed in tornadoes in the Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, where homes were destroyed, authorities said. Police also found a woman dead under a fallen tree branch. Speaking at a White House briefing, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there were reports of as many as 10 fatalities from tornadoes, but he cautioned that the number was tentative.

Florida Residents Face Massive Power Outage, Thousands Rescued

Among the most dramatic rescues, Hillsborough County officers found a 14-year-old boy floating on a piece of fence and pulled him onto a boat. A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a man who was left clinging to an ice chest in the Gulf of Mexico after his fishing boat was stranded in waters roiled by Hurricane Milton. The agency estimated the man had survived winds of 75 to 90 mph (121 to 145 kph) and waves up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) high during his night on the water.

At least 340 individuals and 49 pets have been rescued in ongoing efforts, DeSantis said Thursday afternoon. At least 340 individuals and 49 pets have been rescued in ongoing efforts, DeSantis said Thursday afternoon. About 80,000 people spent the night in shelters, and thousands of others fled after authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders across 15 Florida counties with a total population of about 7.2 million people.

(Inputs from AP)