BRADENTON, Fla. – More than 1 million Floridians were still without power Saturday afternoon following Hurricane Milton, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference.
A total of 2,649,459 accounts have been restored, DeSantis said.
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Hurricane Milton had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph when it roared ashore in Siesta Key, south of the populated Tampa Bay region, the National Hurricane Center said. High winds, heavy rain and flooding hit areas including densely populated Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Fort Myers.
At least eight people died during the storm, including five people who died after a tornado hit St. Lucie, and DeSantis urged people to be safe around downed powerlines in water.
Since landfall, nearly 1,4000 people and over 140 animals have been rescued by Urban Search and Rescue Teams and the Florida National Guard.
DeSantis announced that Florida secured approval of a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Milton from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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The declaration includes Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A and B). Individual Assistance, which is assistance to residents and households, is available for Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia Counties and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
Public Assistance, which is available for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, is available for Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia Counties and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.
Impacted residents can apply for assistance by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app or calling (800) 621-FEMA(3362).