Hurricane Milton live updates: Millions without power in Florida as US calculates cost of storm | Hurricane Milton

Erum Salam

Hurricane Miltonthe Category 3 storm that devastated many parts of FloridaNot only residents were displaced, but also animals that were already at risk in animal shelters.

Emergency shelters in the state, particularly in West Coast cities such as Tampa, Sarasota and others had to scramble to figure out where to relocate their animals before this week's storm. Fortunately, rescue shelters in other parts of the country have joined the effort to help those in the South.

Sharon Hawaan emergency dispatcher Best friendsa coalition of thousands of public and private animal shelters and rescue groups said the need for animal adoption and foster care is “critical” at this time.

“We can create more space for more of these animals. Because we don’t know what the situation currently looks like on site, whether the animal shelters from which these animals come still exist and whether they will be operational in the future,” she said.

Whether by plane or in vans, Best Friends has transported nearly 200 animals to areas hit hardest by Milton in the last month Hurricane Heleneto emergency shelters with more capacity up to the north new York And Massachusetts – but it is not an easy task.

“All animals must be cleared for travel by a veterinarian, so they must be healthy and in good condition so that no medical complications arise during transport,” Hawa said.

“Kudos to all the shelter staff everywhere because they have to deal with so much every day. And then when a large-scale disaster like this occurs, it certainly becomes even more difficult for them to do their jobs, especially if they are not operating from their main facility but have to work from an evacuation shelter.”

There were five deaths in a senior living complex St. Lucie County that was hit by a tornado Milton's outer ligaments, authorities there said. The tornado occurred before the hurricane made landfall nearby Sarasota on the west coast of Florida on Wednesday evening.

The Volusia county sheriff, Michael Chitwoodsaid three people had died in his county and that police were on the scene St Petersburg confirmed two storm-related deaths there.

parts of Sarasota, Fort Myers, Venice and other Gulf Coast Cities were inundated by storm surges up to 10 feet (3 meters) high, while tornadoes destroyed buildings including a sheriff's department facility, skies turned purple and winds gusted up to 120 miles per hour (193 km/h ) turned cars, trees and debris into projectiles.

“Our hearts break for the Floridians who have lost so much.” Alejandro Mayorkasthe homeland security secretary said in an afternoon briefing White House.

The Florida governor said rescue operations would continue until Thursday afternoon. Ron DeSantissaid at a press conference. Authorities have already rescued at least 340 people and 49 pets, DeSantis said, including a 14-year-old boy who was found floating on a piece of fence in floodwaters.

A US Coast Guard The crew rescued a man who was clinging to an ice chest Gulf of Mexicoabout 30 miles (50 km) offshore after his boat broke down before Milton reached land.

In Tampa135 people were rescued from an assisted living facility. The city's police department also released video of officers rescuing several children from a home partially destroyed by a fallen tree.

You can read the full report here Richard Luscombe In Miami And Edward HelmoreHere:

Florida Residents continue to repair the damage Hurricane Milton and find out what to do next after the storm ripped through coastal communities, tearing homes apart, flooding streets and spawning a spate of deadly tornadoes.

There are conflicting reports about the number of deaths as a result of Hurricane Milton, but US media reported between 11 and 16 deaths, with the number expected to rise. CBS News said Thursday evening that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement had confirmed to the publication that eight counties had reported 16 storm-related deaths to its agency.

Arriving just two weeks after the devastating disaster Hurricane Helenethe system knocked out power to more than 3 million customers, flooded barrier islands, and ripped off the roof Tampa Bay Rays' Baseball stadium and overturned a construction crane.

Many expressed relief that Hurricane Milton was not worse, reports the Associated Press (AP). The hurricane spared densely populated areas Tampa a direct hit, and the deadly storm surge that scientists had feared never materialized.

The AP reports that a flood of vehicles were heading south Thursday evening Interstate 75the main highway that runs through the middle of the state as relief workers and evacuated residents made their way into the aftermath. At times some cars even drove on the left side of the road. Bucket trucks and fuel tankers streamed past, along with portable toilet trailers and a convoy of emergency vehicles, the AP reports.

While residents rushed back to find out whether their homes had been destroyed or spared, finding gas was still a challenge. Until then, the gas stations were still closed Ocalamore than two and a half hours drive north of where the storm made landfall as a Category 3 storm Siesta key In Sarasota County on Wednesday evening.

Orlando International Airportthe state's busiest state, said departures for domestic flights and international flights would resume on Friday after domestic flights resumed on Thursday evening. The airport had minor damage, including some leaks and fallen trees.

Florida theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando And SeaWorld Reopening is scheduled for Friday following an assessment of the storm's impact.