A woman in her late 70s lost her life while working on post-hurricane restoration efforts when a large tree branch fell on her. The incident occurred on Thursday morning, according to a news release from the city of Tampa.
"While the storm has passed, its devastation has tragically taken the life of one of our community members," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "Our thoughts are with the family as they grieve their loved one."
The hurricane caused widespread power outages, affecting more than 2.9 million utility customers across Florida. Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, downgraded from its initial Category 5 intensity.
In St. Lucie County, six people were killed and 25 rescued from a mobile home park. Rescue crews are continuing to search through the rubble of destroyed homes for additional victims, but the challenging conditions make the process difficult.
US President Joe Biden urged people to stay safe and avoid venturing out due to downed power lines, debris, and road washouts. He expressed his support for those affected by the hurricanes, highlighting the incredible courage and community spirit displayed during the disaster.
Fuel shortages have also impacted Florida, with over 23 percent of gas stations reporting fuel outages, particularly in the Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg areas.
Tornado warnings were issued for various cities, in addition to ongoing hurricane and storm surge warnings. (ILKHA)