Rescue operations were still under way into Thursday afternoon, the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, said at a press briefing. Authorities had already rescued at least 340 people and 49 pets, including a 14-year-old boy found floating in flood waters.
Five fatalities were confirmed in a senior community in St Lucie county struck by a tornado from Milton's outer bands. The Volusia county sheriff reported three deaths there.
Parts of Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Venice faced up to 10ft of storm surge, with tornadoes causing significant destruction including a sheriff's department facility.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, expressed condolences, stating, 'Our hearts break for the Floridians who have lost so much' following the devastation from Hurricane Milton.
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