Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone by the National Hurricane Centre.
An alligator and snake alert has been issued in Florida as experts warn residents of a potential increase in wildlife activity following Hurricane Milton.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said that alligators, bears, snakes and manatees could be displaced with excessive floodwater and high winds.
According to the FWC, people can stay safe by remaining alert and giving wildlife their space.
They also urged residents not to help or rescue wildlife during or after a storm if it would put them in danger.
Conservationists warn that “disorientation and stress caused by storms and hurricanes” can often lead wildlife to act different or more aggressively than their typical nature.
It comes after at least 11 people have been confirmed dead on Florida’s east coast after Hurricane Milton battered the state with 120mph winds and flooding.
The “catastrophic” storm has left more than two million homes and businesses without power.
Tampa Airport to reopen tomorrow
Tampa International Airport has confirmed it is due to reopen at 8am on Friday (local time).
It comes after at least 1,900 flights have been cancelled due to Hurricane Milton.
Harris: ‘This is still a serious situation’
Kamala Harris has said that “this is still a serious situation”, in the aftermath of the storm.
In a statement on X, the vice president said flooding, debris and power lines posed a danger to people and and hoped that everyone would “stay safe”.
Fema are working ’24/7′ to help those in danger
Biden states the impact of Hurricane Milton will cost billions
Biden says rebuilding the areas impacted by Hurricane Milton will be a “long haul” and cost billions of dollars.
He said it’s too early to know the overall impact of the storm: “There’s still very dangerous conditions in the state.”
Biden pledged the federal government’s full support in Florida — parts of which were still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
He believes Congress, whose members are currently in recess, should come back into session to address disaster relief funding needs following the hurricane.
“They’re going to have to come back after the election as well, because this is going to be a long haul for total rebuilding,” he says. “It’s going to take several billion dollars.”
“It’s not going to be a matter of just a little bit, but we’re providing now to make sure people have the emergency relief they need.”
Biden ‘urges’ Florida residents to stay inside
Joe Biden has issued a warning to Florida residents who have been impacted by Hurricane Milton
REUTERS
Joe Biden has issued a warning to Florida residents who have been impacted by Hurricane Milton.
The President wrote on X: “To everyone impacted by Hurricane Milton: I urge you stay inside and off the roads.
“Downed power lines, debris, and road washouts are creating dangerous conditions.
“Help is on the way, but until it arrives, shelter in place until your local officials say it’s safe to go out.”
Hurricane Milton downgraded to post-tropical cyclone
Hurricane Milton has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone by the National Hurricane Centre.
“At 200 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Milton was located near latitude 29.3 North, longitude 77.5 West. Milton is moving toward the east-northeast near 21 mph (33 km/h). A turn toward the east is expected later today, with that motion forecast to continue over the western Atlantic for the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Milton will continue to move away from the east coast of Florida and pass north of the northwestern Bahamas this afternoon.”
They warned that storm conditions are still present over the southeastern coast.
Death tolls rises to nine
At least nine people have been killed in Hurricane Milton, officials said, with the figure rising as rescuers scour through rubble and damage.
Volusia County Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood confirmed that three people had died in the county.
“One person died after a tree fell,” Chitwood said, then adding that information relating to the other two individuals were not yet known.
Milton claims the lives of six people
Six people have died in storm-related fatalities in Florida following Hurricane Milton, NBC News has confirmed.
Two occurred in St. Petersburg, and four were a result of yesterday’s tornadoes in St. Lucie County.
Of the two latest deaths, one was a “medical” incident and the other “was someone that was found in a park” with a cause of death pending, St. Petersburg Chief of Police Anthony Holloway said.
Tampa Bay Rays roof ‘ripped to shreds’ in Hurricane Milton
The roof of the Tampa Bay Rays’ home ballpark, Tropicana Field, has been severely damaged during Hurricane Milton
Reuters
The roof of the Tampa Bay Rays’ home ballpark, Tropicana Field, has been severely damaged during Hurricane Milton.
It had been set for use by workers responding to the storm.
There were no injuries reported from that area of downtown St Petersburg, according to a city statement.
‘This was not the worst-case scenario’, says Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that over 80,000 people took shelter overnight across the state
Reuters
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that over 80,000 people took shelter overnight across the state.
He and state officials urged residents to allow rescue teams to assess damaged areas before returning. So far, 42 rescues have been reported, along with two arrests for looting.
On Thursday, Florida airports, including Tampa, Palm Beach, and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, remained closed, except for emergency flights, according to the FAA.
“As the day goes on, we’ll get a clearer picture of the damage. First responders have been working through the night to assist those in need,” DeSantis said.
“The storm was serious, but fortunately, it wasn’t the worst-case scenario, as it weakened before making landfall. Tampa airport experienced minimal damage and should reopen by tomorrow.”
DeSantis also said that seaports are waiting for Coast Guard inspections but are expected to resume operations swiftly.
The most severe storm surge, estimated at 8 to 10 feet, occurred in Sarasota, though it didn’t surpass the levels seen during previous storms like Helene.
“We don’t expect damage on the scale of Hurricane Ian, and while some areas may experience flooding, this could unfold over the coming days due to the large amounts of water,” he added.
City manager warns residents to stay away from ‘toxic’ flood waters
Around 35 people were rescued from high water by first responders during the early hours, Plant City manager Bill McDaniel said.
He added that streets are completely “impassable” and urged residents to “refrain from coming out”, warning of “potentially toxic” flood waters.
“You don’t know what’s in that water. Our sewer stations are overwhelmed, you have gas, you have oil, you have other contaminates mixed into this water,” he said in a Facebook update.
“It’s not healthy to get out in it so please refrain from coming out and getting into this flood water.”
Rescue operation underway with guests ‘trapped in flooded hotel’
A rescue operation is currently in progress following reports of people trapped at a Hotel Inn in Plant City, Florida.
Floodwaters are reportedly surging into the hotel’s ground floor in the city, located just east of Tampa.
Sheriff Chad Chronister told CNN: “We don’t know the exact number of guests at the hotel, but we know we need to rescue them.”
According to reports, dozens of residents are also trapped in an assisted living facility nearby.
The broadcaster noted that the affected building was neither in a flood zone nor an evacuation zone.
BBC Weather app wrongly shows up to 18,995 mph wind speeds in Britain
GB News
Britons woke up to alarming news on Thursday, with the widely used BBC Weather app forecasting winds 150 times stronger than Hurricane Milton, due to a data malfunction.
With television news channels showing Milton smashing into Florida in the United States, the unprecedented winds forecast on the BBC Weather app prompted many people to turn to social media for an explanation.
Hurricane Milton was registered as a Category 3 hurricane in Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 120mph.
BBC Weather sought to reassure the public that they did not in fact have to brace for hurricane winds, with a post on X saying that the weather was more likely to be a typical autumnal day of cold air and blustery showers.
A banner announcement on the app said: “We’re experiencing issues with our forecast data. We’re working to resolve it.”
Possible ‘scale of devastation to Florida’s infrastructure is alarming’ as cost of damage predicted to exceed £50bn
Sean Keyes, CEO of Sutcliffe, a leading civil and structural engineering firm told GB News: “The potential scale of devastation to Florida’s infrastructure is alarming, with critical roads, bridges and public utilities vulnerable to extensive, irreparable damages, with recovery efforts challenging and costly.
“Hurricane Milton is a once in a century storm and could arguably be one of the most costly in history, with its widespread devastation and damages to infrastructure predicted to exceed £50bn, with some estimates placing the costs at over £175bn.
“These costs will not only strain local and state resources but will also impact the community’s economy for years to come, raising the urgency for the development of more resilient infrastructure.
“Many homes in Florida are built using relatively inexpensive wooden frames instead of more resilient materials like concrete or brick, leaving them more susceptible to extreme damage and collapse due to their lightweight properties.
“In the UK, we are all too familiar with the challenges of meeting housing construction targets, but in Florida the economic impact of a category 4 hurricane could leave the state facing a recovery effort that could take decades to realise.
“Proactive measures and investment is crucial for safeguarding communities and ensuring disaster preparedness.”
IN PICTURES: Hurricane Milton strikes Florida
The storm made landfall around 8.30pm EDT (00.30GMT Thursday) on Wednesday evening as a Category 3 hurricane
Reuters
Roof ripped off in Fort Myers following Hurricane Milton
Reuters
CCTV footage showed flood water reaching the top of a restaurant staircase on Wednesday
Reuters
Damage inside a house in Fort Myers
Reuters
Flooding and storm surges have affected many parts of Florida
Reuters
Birds ‘in the eye of Milton’ would have been ‘unable to fly out due to powerful inward wind’
Despite the ‘wind decreasing, the threats are not’, says head of the US federal response
People watch water-flooded streets after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Fort Myers, Florida
Getty
Deanne Criswell, who is leading the US federal response said that more than 70,000 people in Florida are currently in government shelters, following evacuation orders from 31 counties ahead of the storm.
While the hurricane has been downgraded to category one, Criswell warned that a significant storm surge – water being driven ashore by the strong winds – is now expected.
“Even though the winds are weakening, the dangers remain high,” she told the BBC.
“With increased rainfall and the risk of flash flooding, it’s crucial to stay indoors and stay as safe as possible.”
Several months’ worth of rain falls in just hours
Intense rainfall has been recorded throughout Florida, with St Petersburg experiencing over 18 inches (46 cm) of rain within just a few hours
Getty
Intense rainfall has been recorded throughout Florida, with St Petersburg experiencing over 18 inches (46 cm) of rain within just a few hours.
This far exceeds the city’s previous daily record of 6.9 inches (18 cm), set in September 2001.
Meanwhile, McKay Creek reported nearly 15 inches of rain, according to data from CNN.
Tampa also received close to 10 inches, dramatically surpassing its typical October average of 2.3 inches.
Almost 3million households are without power in Florida
Hurricane Milton has caused a power outage for millions of households
Getty
What do we know so far?
Hurricane Milton struck Florida during the early hours of Thursday morning
Reuters
Hurricane Milton made landfall around 8.30pm EDT (00.30 GMT) on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120mph near Siesta Key, the US National Hurricane Center said.
By early Thursday, wind speeds reduced to 90mph, dropping Milton to a Category 1 hurricane, with heavy rains and damaging storm surges.
A flash flood emergency is in effect for the Tampa Bay area including the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
St Petersburg already received 16.6 inches (422 mm) of rain on Wednesday.
The eye of the storm made landfall in Siesta Key, a barrier island town of some 5,400 off Sarasota about 60 miles south of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, which is home to more than 3 million people.
At least two deaths have been reported at a retirement community following a suspected tornado in Fort Pierce on the eastern coast of Florida.
St Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson estimated 100 homes were destroyed in the county where around 17 tornadoes touched down.
More than 2 million homes and businesses in Florida were without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Milton is forecast to maintain hurricane intensity while crossing Florida later on Thursday morning but after moving into the Atlantic it is likely to gradually lose tropical characteristics and slowly weaken, the Hurricane Center said.
Transformers explode as Hurricane Milton strikes Florida
One person witnessed two transformers blow up in ten minutes in St Lucie County.
Flash flood warnings remain in place across parts of west and central Florida.
Strong winds tear roof off Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium
Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium with a damaged roof
Reuters
The roof at Tropicana Field was destroyed as Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday.
Before the storm struck, the Rays said that the stadium was not being used as a shelter for residents.
However, it was set up as a staging area for first responders.
The roof of the stadium, according to the team’s media guide, is made of “six acres of translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass and supports itself with 180 miles of cables connected by struts.”
It was designed to withstand winds of up to 115 mph.
Crane collapses into building during 120mph winds in St Petersburg
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