At least 10 fatalities have been confirmed 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.
6 dead in St. Lucie County following tornadoes
Six people are dead in St. Lucie County after powerful tornadoes struck Florida's east coast, county officials said.
Twelve tornadoes were reported in the county within 90 minutes on Wednesday, prompting over 900 calls to 911, county officials said.
County Administrator George Landry praised the commitment of first responders, saying, "During the storm, our emergency personnel were literally dodging tornadoes to reach residents."
At least 38 tornadoes were reported across Florida on Wednesday. There were 126 tornado warnings issued in South Florida -- the most on record for the state and the second-highest for any state in one day.
-ABC News’ Jason Volack
Sheriff on Wellington storm damage: 'It looks like a war zone'
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said damage to the Wellington area from a suspected tornado on Wednesday was extensive.
Bradshaw told reporters during a press briefing Thursday that he flew in a helicopter to survey the damage from the air.
"When you see the devastation from the air, it's amazing, it looks like a war zone," he said.
The sheriff said damage assessments of about 200 homes showed most were uninhabitable.
"I can tell you why: The places I saw looked like it was an atomic bomb that blew it up," Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw said crews are doing more searches with drones now.
Seven people were injured in the storm, officials said.
-ABC News' Matt Foster
No further impacts from Milton expected
Storm surge and tropical storm warnings for Milton have been discontinued, as the storm is racing out to sea.
4 deaths in Volusia County due to Milton: Sheriff
Four people died in Volusia County, on Florida's east coast, in connection with Milton, the local sheriff said.
Two died due to fallen trees, according to Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood.
A third person died from a heart attack while boarding up property, while another went into cardiac arrest and first responders couldn't get there in time during the storm, the sheriff said.
Flooding continues to be a risk in the county, local officials said, while urging people to stay off the roads. A curfew is in place from 9 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday.
Roof of Tropicana Field rips off, crane collapses in St. Petersburg
Wind gusts climbed to 97 mph in Tampa and 102 mph at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport as Milton slammed the coast.
Milton's powerful winds ripped most of the roof off of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, and sent a crane crashing down in St. Petersburg.
We love you, St. Pete. It’s been a tough few weeks, but we’re still with you - we’re ready to recover and rebuild. City crews began accessing damage at daybreak and were encouraging all residents to stay off the roads until we deem it safe.#WeAreStPete pic.twitter.com/yIobPVLq2E
— St. Petersburg, FL (@StPeteFL) October 10, 2024
Fourteen staff members inside Tropicana Field were safely relocated, City Development Administrator James Corbett said.
No injuries were reported in connection to the crane collapse, officials said.
The city of St. Petersburg plans to review and potentially revise local regulations surrounding crane safety and construction preparedness for future storms, a local official said.