Deadly Hurricane Milton leaves trail of destruction across Florida

09 Oct 2024, 11:35 by Germania Rodriguez Poleo, Chief U.S. Reporter · Mail Online

Monster storm Hurricane Milton is currently ripping a path of destruction across Florida, leaving several people dead and tearing through the roof of Tropicana Field stadium as it heads for Orlando and onward to the Atlantic.

The first casualties were reported even before Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm around 1:30am UK time, bringing 'catastrophic' flooding, 120mph winds and several twisters - some of which proved lethal.

After making landfall, Milton began rumbling east, ripping up everything in its path before ripping apart the roof of Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St. Petersburg.

At least 117 tornado warnings were issued in communities across the state overnight and into this morning, with dozens reported to have materialised and wrought havoc. More than 3 million homes and businesses were without power Thursday morning in Florida.

Follow our live coverage below

07:45

Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida: Everything you need to know

Hurricane Milton, one of the most powerful storms to hit the US in recent years, made landfall in Florida on Wednesday night resulting in record flooding and extreme winds that have already caused multiple fatalities.

Milton hit Siesta Key, a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, at around 8.30pm local time on Wednesday according to the National Hurricane Center.

Once a category five hurricane, the storm has since been downgraded to category one as it barrels its way across the Sunshine State as officials warn of life-threatening storm surges while deadly tornadoes have also spawned.

Here's everything you need to know this morning:

At least two people have been killed after a tornado levelled more than 100 homes in St Lucie County in southeastern Florida while others were taken to hospital
Nearly three million people were left without power as the storm barrels its way across the state where several months' worth of rain has fallen in a few hours
The roof of Tropicana Field, home to Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, was ripped to shreds when devastating 100mph-plus winds came ashore on Wednesday to leave huge sections of the domed stadium in tatters
In St. Petersburg, a gigantic crane teetered off the top of a building and crashed into the offices of the Tampa Bay Times.
While an emergency flood warning was issued in Tampa where nearly 10 inches of rain has been dumped – surpassing its October average of 2.3 inches.

09:39

Birdseye picture of Tropicana Field shows devastation wrought by Milton

Shocking images have emerged showing the damage sustained at Tropicana Field as Milton surged through Florida earlier this morning.

The stadium, home to Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, lost its fabric roof as the eye of the hurricane ripped it apart and left it in tatters.

Now fresh pictures looking down into the stadium from above show the turf completely overrun with floodwater and debris.

09:35

Hurricane Milton ravages Orlando and heads for the Atlantic

The eye of the storm is passing through Orlando and Cape Canaveral as it heads towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Milton is now a Category 1 Hurricane but is still registering winds of more than 80mph.

09:24

Police chief - 'We'll probably find bodies in the morning'

A police chief in Florida has told how officers are expecting to find bodies later this morning after Hurricane Milton brought 110mph winds which caused trees to 'fly around'.

Melanie Bevan, chief of the Bradenton Police Department, told the BBC her officers spent three days preparing for the storm by moving more than 45,000 pieces of property, evidence, guns and equipment to a safe location.

Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, she warned the number of confirmed fatalities is likely to increase throughout the morning.

'I don't think it's going to be rescue once the storm subsides...it's going to be recovery.

'What we'll probably be finding in the morning are bodies...it's bleak in some of these areas.'

Police officers had asked residents in Bradenton, which sits on the Manatee River, to write their name and their loved ones on their arms with a black marker so they know who to contact if recovered.

09:00

National Hurricane Center posts 5am update on Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton is now about 10 miles from Cape Canaveral, the National Hurricane Center reported in its latest update.

Cape Canaveral is situated on the Space Coast and is near the Kennedy Space Center where US spacecraft such as he Apollo 11 moon landing launched from.

The storm is now moving offshore of the east coast of Florida meaning authorities will no longer provide hourly updates on its position.

Sustained wind speeds remain at 85mph although gusts of more than 90mph was reported in Marineland, a sparsely populated town around 18 miles south of St. Augustine.

08:36

State troopers rescue dog abandoned by owners and trapped to fence as Milton hits Florida

A dog that was abandoned by its owners and tied to a fencepost was rescued by state troopers as Hurricane Milton bore down on the Tampa Bay area.

Video released by Florida Highway Patrol shows the dog standing in flood water up to its belly on Wednesday, barking and growling as the officer approaches.

'I don’t blame you, it’s okay, buddy,' the trooper told the scared animal.

The department has since taken to social media, warning residents: 'Do NOT do this to your pets please.'

08:27

At least 27 tornadoes reported across Florida, NWS reveals

Hurricane Milton spawned several devastating tornadoes that wreaked havoc on Florida communities Wednesday afternoon.

At least 27 twisters were reported across the state, the National Weather Service said, noting that it is working to confirm all of the reports.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson said the tornadoes killed residents, but did not disclose how many people died.

'We have lost some life,' he told WPBF News, noting it was 'more than one person'.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue also said that five people were taken to the hospital after multiple reports of 'tornado touchdowns' in the area.

According to Florida's Division of Emergency Management about 125 homes were destroyed before Milton made landfall, many of them mobile homes in communities for senior citizens.

Milton is expected to continue bringing 'devastating rains and damaging winds' across the central Florida peninsula throughout Thursday before exiting the state late in the day for the Atlantic Ocean.

A drone view shows a house destroyed by a tornado as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida on Wednesday

A family stands outside their house after getting hit by a reported tornado in Fort Myers, Florida on Wednesday as Hurricane Milton approached

A tornado ripped through power lines in Wellington, Florida on Wednesday

A tornado severely damaged a home in the Binks Estate in Wellington, Florida on Wednesday before Hurricane Milton made landfall

Robert Haight looks around his destroyed house after it was hit by a reported tornado in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches

A home is severely damaged and a vehicle flipped over in the Avenir neighborhood of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida after a tornado ripped through the area

08:08

Lt Dan is 'fine' as he emerges from 'secure' boat

Joseph Malinowski, better known online as Lieutenant Dan, provided an update about his situation as he hunkered down inside his boat during Hurricane Milton.

He was seen sticking his head out of the boat at around 11pm as he insisted to NewsNation reporter Brian Entin that he was 'fine,' and posted his own TikTok earlier in the night detailing how he and his boat were holding up as the storm started to hit.

'They're saying the storm is still about an hour and a half out, and if that's the case and I'm feeling double of what it is now, that's not a problem, not a problem now,' he said.

He said his boat was 'secure, so I can only go so far' in the 120mph winds, and told how his boat had not yet sustained any structural damage.

Lt Dan's wild night at sea as he emerges from hurricane-battered boat
Joseph Malinowski, a one-legged Florida man who gained notoriety for deciding to ride out Hurricane Milton from inside his sailboat, has opened up about his wild night at sea.
Mail Online
07:59

National Hurricane Center posts 3am update on Hurricane Milton

The National Hurricane Center has said Milton's sustained wind speeds were at 85mph, meaning it remains a category 1 hurricane.

A gust of 81mph was recorded at Daytona Beach International Airport and flood warnings remain over swathes of western and central Florida.

At 3am, the storm was 45 km (27 miles) east-south-east of Orlando and 30km (18 miles) west-south-west of Cape Canaveral.

07:21

Hurricane Milton leaves behind path of destruction

Hurricane Milton plowed into Florida as a Category 3 storm, bringing misery to a coast still ravaged by Helene, pounding cities with winds of over 100 mph (160 kph) after producing a barrage of tornadoes, but sparing Tampa a direct hit.

The storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall Wednesday night in Siesta Key near Sarasota, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa.

The situation in the Tampa area was still a major emergency as St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of flash flooding there as well as other parts of western and central Florida.

Palm trees bend in the wind after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Brandon, Florida on Wednesday as an 'extremely dangerous' Category 3 hurricane, packing life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding

A vehicle is stranded on a water-flooded street after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Brandon, Florida on October 9, 2024

As Hurricane Milton makes landfall and batters the west coast of Florida historic Ybor City gets hit with torrential rain fall and wind gusts

Debris is strewn on a street following the collapse of a crane, during heavy rainfall and strong winds caused by Hurricane Milton, in St. Petersburg, Florida

A crane collapses on a building, during heavy rainfall and strong winds caused by Hurricane Milton, in St. Petersburg, Florida

05:15

Fearless weather reporter braves 100mph winds during live broadcast from Florida as Hurricane Milton rages

A brave TV weatherman was caught on camera attempting to report from the heart of Hurricane Milton as the ferocious storm came ashore on Wednesday night.

Robert Ray, a correspondent for Fox Weather could be seen on camera, complete with bike helmet and eye goggles, barely able to stand upright as he was thrashed by 100mph winds and pelted by driving rain in Bradenton, Florida.

Ray is one of dozens of reporters out and about in the horrendous weather conditions attempting to give a sense to viewers of what the conditions are like as the storm swirls about them.

Fearless weather reporter braves 100mph wind as Hurricane Milton rages
A brave weatherman, Robert Ray, was filmed reporting from the center of Hurricane Milton as it hit Bradenton, Florida, with 100mph winds.
Mail Online
05:11

Crane falls in St. Petersburg due to high winds, causing destruction to nearby buildings

The National Weather Service says it has received reports of multiple collapsed cranes due to high winds in St. Petersburg, about 50 miles south of Siesta Key, where Milton made landfall.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed one collapse late Wednesday about six blocks from the city's pier, into the building of the Tampa Bay Times newspaper. There were no reports of injuries.

The crane was at the site of a 515-foot-tall luxury high-rise building under construction that is being billed as one of the tallest buildings on the west coast of Florida. It was scheduled to be completed in summer 2025.

04:45

Tornado tears path of destruction through Florida neighborhood shredding roofs and overturning cars

The wrath of Hurricane Milton has been felt in a Florida neighborhood after a violent tornado lashed homes and cars.

Video footage showed a path of destruction ripped through the Avenir neighborhood in Palm Beach Gardens before Milton made landfall.

In the clip, sted on X by Gelo Perez, roofs on multiple homes were seen damaged and missing panels that had been ripped off from the high-intensity winds.

Tornado tears path of destruction through Florida neighborhood
Video footage showed a path of destruction ripped through the Avenir neighborhood in Palm Beach Gardens as Milton made landfall.
Mail Online
04:25

City of St. Petersburg shuts down drinking water after main break

St. Petersburg, a city just 20 miles from Tampa Bay and where torn up Tropicana Field is located, has shut down all drinking water services.

A water main break has led to the city shutting off potable water service citywide beginning at midnight.

'Residents and businesses should prepare for this temporary shutdown, which is expected to last until the necessary repairs can be completed,' the city said in a statement.

Crews will only be able to conduct repairs when it becomes safe.

The city is also issuing a boil water notice for all drinking water

04:03

Wealthy Florida mom shows off her 'Milton proof' mansion that her husband built as hundreds beg them to evacuate

A wealthy Florida mom has taken to social media to show off her 'Milton proof' mansion ahead of the Category 3 storm.

The woman, who goes by the name Kricketfelt on TikTok, shared multiple clips of her and her family's preparations for the forceful storm, as she made it abundantly clear that they plan to hunker down in their massive 'commercial grade' home her husband built.

Even though Floridians have been told by local law enforcement and the government to evacuate their homes, the mother-of-three is staying put with her husband and Rottweiler named Zeus.

In her clips, the woman repeatedly cursed as she showed viewers around her Florida mansion, covered in concrete, with the shoreline right off her backyard.

Viewers quickly flocked to her videos with many of them ripping her apart for her 'humble' attitude, while others sent her well wishes and asked her to go live during Hurricane Milton.

'Humble pie coming right up ma'am,' a person wrote.

Wealthy Florida mom shows off her 'Milton proof' mansion
A wealthy Florida mom took to social media to gloat about her 'Milton proof' mansion ahead of the Category 3 storm expected to make landfall on Wednesday night in the Sunshine State.
Mail Online
03:19

Roof of MLB stadium where first responders are sheltering from Hurricane Milton torn off

The roof on baseball's Tampa Bay Rays stadium was ripped to shreds when devastating 100mph-plus winds from Hurricane Milton came ashore in Florida on Wednesday night.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any injuries inside Tropicana Field, located in nearby St. Petersburg. Images showed massive sections of the domed building's roof completely tattered, giving a clear line of sight to the lights that were on inside the stadium.

The Tampa Bay Times reported that it was being used as 'a staging site for workers' who were brought to the area to deal with the storm´s aftermath.

The Rays had previously announced that they were 'working with state and local emergency management partners ... to aid efforts for debris removal.'

The stadium opened in 1990 and initially cost $138 million. It is due to be replaced in time for the 2028 season with a $1.3 billion ballpark.

Footage saw the slanted roofs torn off of the 34-year-old stadium. The roofs were designed to better protect it from such storms.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management designated the stadium as a 10,000-person base camp for debris cleanup operations and first-responders.

The storm, which is currently a Category 1, brought wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and flooding parts of the state. Tornadoes earlier Wednesday have killed 'multiple people' in St. Lucie County.

A Flash Flood Emergency was declared in the Tampa area through the late night hours from the high waters from, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night.

The winds are currently reaching the east coast of Florida as the eye of the storm moves inland, toward cities like Orlando, where emergency services have been shut down for the time being . After water was seen being pushed out of the bay, it will fill back up as winds blow the bay back in.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm made landfall at Siesta Key, Florida , a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico near Sarasota, with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour.

Already, over two million people in the region are without power due to the storm.

02:47

Doorbell cam shows car submerged in Hurricane Milton flood

Shocking video shows a car just hanging on as it becomes submerged in the flooding from Hurricane Milton.

A Flash Flood Emergency was declared in the Tampa area from the high waters from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service has declared a Flash Flood Emergency after 10 to 14 inches of rain have fallen in the Tampa Bay area, a region of just over two million people.

The emergency in Tampa will last until at least 2:30 a.m. local time, with some nearby areas facing flash flooding until 4 a.m.

'Between 10 and 14 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring,” the NWS said. “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!'

02:10

Milton described as 'one in a thousand years' rain event

Scientists are describing Hurricane Milton as delivering 'one in a thousand year' winds as the storm makes landfall.

At one point, the city of St. Petersburg reported just over five inches of rain in one hour, nearing the threshold for a one-in-thousand year event.

01:43

Flash Flood Emergency declared for Tampa Bay area as authorities beg 'SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!'

The National Weather Serice has declared a Flash Flood Emergency after 10 to 14 inches of rain have fallen in the Tampa Bay area, a region of just over two million people.

The emergency will last until at least 2:30 a.m. local time.

'Between 10 and 14 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring,” the NWS said. “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!'

01:37

Tampa Electric outage leaves more than one million residents in the dark

More than one million Florida residents have been left without power, as shocking footage shows a tornado tearing through a Florida neighborhood destroying powerlines.

The outages are concentrated in Sarasota and Manatee County, according to USAToday data.

The horrifying footage, posted on Instagram by Abc7ny, shows a Hurricane Milton-related tornado raging through the sky in Wellington, Florida.

Powerlines are seen brightly bursting as the tornado tore them apart. Cars in the video sped away from the unexpected sparks.

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a category 3 storm on Wednesday night.

Tornado rips through Florida residents scramble without electricity
Over 1.1million Floridians have been left without power, as shocking footage shows a tornado tearing through a Florida neighborhood destroying powerlines.
Mail Online
01:33

Eerie video shows eye of Milton as it passes through Sarasota

The eye of Hurricane Milton is passing through downtown, Sarasota, Florida, showing an eerie calm before the storm returns.

Sarasota is set to be directly in the path of Milton, which made landfall earlier Wednesday night.

01:10

'Multiple fatalities' from tornado outbreak Wednesday in Florida

The Sheriff of Florida's St. Lucie County has said there have been 'multiple fatalities' due to a tornado outbreak ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday.

Sheriff Keith Pearson did not say exactly how many were killed, but they died when the twisters hit Spanish Lakes Country Club in Fort Pierce.

00:36

Hurricane Milton makes landfall on the coast of Florida

Hurricane Milton has made landfall as a Category 3 storm on the west coast of Florida , the fifth hurricane to make landfall in the United States in 2024.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm made landfall at Siesta Key, Florida, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico near Sarasota, with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour.

The five storms to make landfall in 2024 are more than the years 2021 through 2023 combined.

23:58

Florida already underwater with terrifying footage showing monster storm surge swallowing whole suburbs as Hurricane Milton's ferocious eyewall nears the coast

Florida is already beginning to flood in at least six inches of rain as Hurricane Milton lands ashore and the storm surge is already 3.7 feet above typically dry ground.

The National Hurricane Center has revealed that the storm is 20 miles southwest of Sarasota.

The National Weather Service has declared a Flash Flood Warning for much of the Tampa area until 10:45 p.m. Already, over three inches of rain have fallen in the past three hours. Hurricane gusts were reported at around 89 miles per hour at the Tampa-St. Petersburg Airport.

The Weather Prediction Service said: 'An axis of extreme rainfall, stretching from the Tampa metropolitan region northeastward into the north-central Florida Peninsula, is expected to result in major to locally catastrophicflash flooding with considerable threats to life and property.'

They added that some locations could face an inch of water per hour for the coming two to four hours.

It will likely cause 'rapid rises of water above the surface as water will not have sufficient time to drain, especially across the mostly impervious surfaces of the St. Petersburg into the Tampa metro and possibly nearing Orlando later tonight.'

Weather Channel anchor Jim Cantore could be seen standing in several inches of water in Charlotte Harbor, just 100 miles south of Tampa Bay.

According to BayNews9, over 70,000 are already without power.

23:45

Disney World resorts remain full despite park closures for Hurricane Milton

Florida's Disney World resort has no vacancies this week despite park closures due to Hurricane Milton.

While theme park visitors squeezed in a few more hours Wednesday, workers in a parking garage at Universal Orlando hugged each other goodbye and wished each other good luck in the hours before Milton was supposed to make landfall.

The Orlando area is the most visited destination in the United States due to Disney World, Universal and other attractions, drawing 74 million tourists last year alone.

Fifteen-year-old Nicholas Gutowski said he was putting his faith in Disney´s infrastructure at the hotel where he and his sister were staying.

"It´s definitely scary but Disney has backup power," he said.

Originally from Texas but currently living in Tennessee, Gutowski and his sister, Joy Blackburn, 26, crammed two Disney theme park visits into one day, knowing time was ticking down before the theme parks closed.

22:33

Taylor Swift donates $5 million to Feeding America to assist with both Hurricane Helene and Milton relief

Taylor Swift has donated $5 million to Feeding America to help with the relief efforts for the oncoming Hurricane Milton and the just passed Hurricane Helene.

'We're incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift for her generous $5 million donation to relief efforts,' the chairty said on social media.

'This contribution will help communities rebuild and recover, providing essential food, clean water and supplies to people affected by these devastating storms.'

22:28

Terrifying footage shows giant waves headed for Florida

The NOAA posted terrifying drone camera footage showing massive, 28-foot waves caused by Hurricane Milton.

The waves are approximately 28.12 feet - longer than a London bus and four times as tall as Andre the Giant - and feature wind gusts just over 75 miles per hour.

The video is part of a program with the drone-makers, Saildrone, in an 'effort to better understand and predict devastating events like Hurricane Milton.'

Locals in the path of Milton have been warned to brace for a 12 foot wall of water, known as a storm surge, that will destroy everything in its path.

22:01

Biden slams 'un-American' Trump, 'stupid' Marjorie Taylor Greene on response to hurricanes

Joe Biden took shots at Republicans, including Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene, in a press briefing from the White House Tuesday.

He ripped Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for suggesting the federal government controlled the weather.

'It is beyond ridiculous. It is so stupid. It's got to stop,' he said.

He called Trump 'un-American' for spreading what he called misinformation and was puzzled as to why.

'I don't know. I simply don't know. I used the phrase more than I ever used in my whole career, un=American. What are they taking about?'

He was asked if he had considered calling Trump to 'stop' spreading what he called misinformation.

Biden could only muster a gron and mutter: 'Come on.'

21:44

Severe solar storm could stress power grids with back-to-back hurricanes

A severe solar storm is headed to Earth that could stress power grids even more as the U.S. deals with major back-to-back hurricanes, space weather forecasters said Wednesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday into Friday after an outburst from the sun was detected earlier this week. Such a storm could temporarily disrupt power and radio signals.

NOAA has notified operators of power plants and orbiting spacecraft to take precautions. It also alerted the Federal Emergency Management Agency about possible power disruptions, as the organization copes with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene and gears up for Hurricane Milton barreling across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.

Forecasters do not expect the latest solar storm to surpass the one that slammed Earth in May, the strongest in more than two decades. But they won't know for sure until it's just 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away, where spacecraft can measure it.

Florida is far enough south to avoid any power disruptions from the solar surge unless it gets a lot bigger, said scientist Rob Steenburgh of NOAA´s Space Weather Prediction Center.

20:54

Milton downgraded to Category 3 - but meteorologists say worst is yet to come

Hurricane Milton was downgraded to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125mph hours before its expected landfall late on Wednesday afternoon.

The classification marks only the speed of Milton's wind gusts, as forecasters warned that the storm is set to be one of the worst in recent memory when hurricane-force winds hit the coast later today.

Floridians have already been hit with heavy rainfall and a potent tornado outbreak that brought at least 90 tornado warnings across the state on Wednesday.

20:44

Lt. Dan lashes out at mayor for 'trying to coerce me to go to shelter'

The stubborn one-legged Floridian who went viral for refusing to evacuate from his boat has issued a scathing rebuke of Tampa's mayor.

Joseph Malinowski, known affectionately among locals as Joe Sea or 'Lieutenant Dan' for his resemblance to the Forrest Gump character, took to TikTok as he branded Tampa Mayor Jane Castor an 'idiot.'

'She sent some other guy down here to politely say Joe I'll take you to a shelter and get my guys to keep your boat safe, saying 'God sent me to send you to safety.' Don't insult my intelligence. Don't freaking do that,' he said.

Malinowski updated viewers hours before Milton is set to make landfall, as he insisted that 'everything is good, everything is safe.'

'It's raining pretty hard, that's to be expected,' he said. 'I'm not going anywhere and it's not because I'm worried about losing the boat, although I am a little bit.'

The boater previously went viral as he refused to heed evacuation orders and remained on his boat, and he said late Wednesday that Castor had tried to 'coerce' him off his vessel.

'This whole thing has gotten to be more of a political thing than anything. She had a news conference and said they got me to go to a shelter because the cops came down this morning,' he said.

'the more you tell me to do something the more i'm going to fight you.'

Malinowski added that he previously clashed with Florida officials during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying he was offered $30 of food and a 'care pack' in order to get vaccinated.

'I told thgem to stick the shot up their a**,' he said. 'I aint ever got that thing.'

20:17

Florida breaks record for most tornado warnings in a single day

The potent series of tornados branching off Hurricane Milton has seen Florida break its record for the most tornado warnings in a single day.

The National Weather Service has issued 90 tornado warnings in the last 24 hours, a number that is set to continue rising as Milton barrels toward Florida's east coast.

At least 11 of these warnings materialized into tornados since Wednesday morning, with forecasters cautioning that the worst could be yet to come.

The previous record for tornado warnings in a day was set in September 2017 by Hurricane Irma, which hit 69 within a 24 hour span.

19:44

Sarasota 911 is on the verge of shutting down

Sarasota County officials say the area is on the verge of pausing its 911 service as winds pick up.

Local services will stop when wind speeds hit 45mph. They're currently at 22mph.

Anyone needing emergency help has been told to call 911.

But police, fire and ambulance services have warned they'll not be able to respond 'until it's safe for teams to get back on the roads,' the Herald-Tribune reported.

Sarasota is set to be ground zero for the eye of Milton, which is forecast to make landfall around 11pm Wednesday night.

Locals have been warned to brace for a 12 foot wall of water, known as a storm surge, that will destroy everything in its path.

Police block a bridge in Sarasota on Wednesday afternoon. Locals in the city have warned that during severe weather conditions, emergency services will not be able to respond until it is safe to do so again.

The Oyster Bay marina area is closed as the town prepares for Hurricane Milton in Oyster Bay, Sarasota, Florida

A boat run aground from a previous storm rests on the shore as Hurricane Milton approaches

19:42

The spooky sight on deserted Florida streets as Milton moves ever closer

Groups of sandhill cranes have been spotted strutting down deserted Florida streets after Hurricane Milton sent locals fleeing.

The birds were filmed walking down a deserted residential street and in a gas station, emitting an eerie squawk.

Some locals suggested the birds' behavior was evidence of a sixth sense about the impending terrible weather event.

But experts have insisted they regularly make the same call during settled weather - and that the sight of them in built-up areas is just a result of ongoing evacuation orders.

The eye of Milton is currently forecast to strike the Sarasota area around 11pm tonight, with a 12 foot wall of water called a storm surge set to destroy the area's coastline.

19:39

City of Bradenton says large water main won't be fixed before storm hits

The Herald Tribune reported that the city of Bradenton is warning residents that there is a large water break that will not be repaired before the storm arrives.
The water main break is affecting homes and businesses in the city.
Officials said slow water flow caused the pipe to break but are not able to repair it before landfall tonight.
Bradenton is between Tampa and Sarasopta, the area expected to be hit the hardest.

19:30

Golfer John Daly flees Tampa as Hurricane Milton approaches

John Daly says he has evacuated Tampa, Florida with Hurricane Milton closing in on the state - weeks after revealing Hurricane Helene destroyed one of his family homes.
The 58-year-old took to Instagram to send a message to his followers on Wednesday, saying: 'Here we go again - Sending prayers A for all of us who have family, friends & neighbors that is threatened today by #Milton.

John Daly flees Tampa as Hurricane Milton approaches
John Daly has evacuated Florida with Hurricane Milton bearing down on the state - weeks after revealing Hurricane Helene destroyed one of his family homes.
Mail Online
19:25

Tornado leaves devastation in Fort Meyers

A power pole lays on the ground after it was snapped in half after what appeared to be a tornado passed through the area before Hurricane Milton's arrival.
Multiple tornadoes have been spotted in South Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival ashore.
The National Hurricane Center says Milton was 'growing in size' as it approached the coast. It said 'life threatening storm surge' and 'damaging winds' were both still expected.

19:21

Sarasota starts seeing flooding as Hurricane Milton approaches

The Sarasota area has started seeing some flooding as Hurricane Milton gets nearer.
A view of flooded road as Hurricane Milton bears down on the Gulf Coast in Sarasota.

18:53

Disney World and Universal closures halt Orlando tourism as Milton approaches

Tourism in Orlando rapidly came to a standstill Wednesday with the main airport and at least three theme parks and other businesses set to shut down.
Milton, which is expected to come ashore late Wednesday as a major storm, threatened to ruin the vacations of tens of thousands of tourists who came to Orlando to visit the likes of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, or partake in October festivities like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.
Disney and Universal were due to close Wednesday afternoon while SeaWorld did not open at all. All are expected to remain closed Thursday.
Orlando International Airport, the nation’s seventh busiest and Florida’s most trafficked, ceased operations Wednesday morning.

18:47

Inside the 'doomed paradise' in the path of Hurricane Milton

As the clock ticks down to the moment of dread, the Mail's GREG WOODFIELD reveals how Florida is bracing for an 'inevitable apocalypse.'

Inside the 'doomed paradise' in the path of Hurricane Milton
Tampa Bay, an area of astonishing beauty and wildlife and home to 2.5million people, has the atmosphere of a doomed paradise awaiting obliteration.
Mail Online
18:43

National Weather Service warns 'It's time to shelter-in-place'

The National Service Center issued an alert at 2.30pm EST to those in Hurricane Milton's path, saying it is now time to shelter in place.

'It’s time to shelter-in-place from #Milton. Tropical-storm force winds, flooding rains, and tornadoes are spreading inland across FL,' the agency said on social media.

'Unless a life-threatening situation arises, stay indoors and follow updates.'

Meanwhile those in Manatee county have been told it is now too late to evacuate.

'Where you are now is where you are going to be during the duration of Milton,' said the county’s chief of emergency management, Matt Myers. 'The conditions are rapidly getting worse.'

Myers said EMS and fire protection are no longer responding to the county’s islands and bridges are closed.

Officials said they expect the hurricane to make landfall in the area overnight. They urged citizens sheltering in place to stay in the center of their home and make sure their devices are charged.

A view of some of the 700 evacuees in the gymnasium in shelter at River Ridge Middle/High School in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Wednesday in New Port Richey, Florida.

Robert Haight grabs some belongings from his wrecked home in Fort Myers, Florida on Wednesday afternoon after its roof was ripped off by a tornado caused by Hurricane Milton.

18:30

Floridians take shelter

A view of some of the 700 evacuees in the gymnasium in shelter at River Ridge Middle/High School in preparation for Hurricane Milton

17:51

Biden slams Trump for spreading false information about hurricane response

President Joe Biden slammed Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene for spreading false information around hurricane efforts, calling them out by name for their ‘lies.’

‘Former President Trump has led the onslaught of lies,’ Biden said during a briefing on Hurricane Milton at the White House.

Trump has used his large megaphone – his social media following and his political rallies – to criticize the Biden administration’s response, including making false claims that there is no money for the state because it’s going to illegal immigrants and that only blue states will get recovery funds.

‘For those saying the money is needed for this crisis is being diverted to migrants: what a ridiculous thing to say. It's not true,’ Biden said.

He went on to slam Greene, a Trump supporter.

‘Now the claims are getting even more bizarre. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene - the Congresswoman from Georgia - is now saying the federal government is literally controlling the weather. We're controlling the weather. It's beyond ridiculous. It's got to stop,’ Biden said.

17:13

Massive tornado hits near Cape Coral

Terrifying webcam footage showed a tornado causing utter chaos near Cape Coral on Wednesday afternoon.

The twister was seen crossing a body of water in Matlacha, which sits around 130 miles south of Tampa Bay.

A deserted road bridge was pummeled with rain and severe wind, with telegraph poles on the structure seeming to sway.

The footage appeared to show the concrete bridge itself swaying. But It is unclear if the crossing moved and was damaged - or if it was the webcam itself that was rocking.

Other tornadoes formed in Henry and Broward counties.

Meanwhile, photos show huge waves pumelling a sea wall in St Petersburg, near where Milton will make landfall later today.

Waves crash against a sea wall in St Petersburg, Florida on Wednesday afternoon. St Pete sits close to where Milton will make landfall later this evening.