Hurricane Milton Death Toll Rises to at Least 16, Including Victims Killed by Tornado at Retirement Community

Mar. 15, 2025

People cleaning up storm debris after Hurricane Milton in Florida on Oct. 10.Photo:Sean Rayford/Getty

Sean Rayford/Getty

The death toll fromHurricane Miltoncontinues to climb as millions remain without power in Florida following the second storm to hit the state in two weeks.

At least 16 people have died as a result of Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key on Wednesday, Oct. 9, as a Category 3 storm, according toCNNandNBC News.

“I can’t confirm that all of them were from the Spanish Lakes neighborhood that was hardest hit,” county spokesman Erick Gill toldNBC News. “I don’t know if it was all, but I know there was more than one.”

He went on to say that there had been no orders to evacuate the area, which was located on the opposite side of the state from where Milton made landfall. Additionally, the tornadoes made landfall hours before the hurricane came ashore.

Gov.Ron DeSantis, who declared a state of emergency for dozens of counties before Milton hit, previously said19 tornadoes touched downas the hurricane moved ashore.

At a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 10, DeSantis said the hurricane was not as catastrophic as some had feared, though it did still cause significant flooding and damage, according toUSA Today.

“The storm was significant, but thankfully this was not the worst-case scenario,” he remarked.

First responders in Sarasota after Hurricane Milton.Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty

Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty

Still, more than 2.2 million people remain without power in central and southern Florida as of Friday, Oct. 11, according toPowerOutage.us.

A flooded street in Siesta Key on Oct. 10 due to Hurricane Milton.MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty

MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty

Hundreds of rescues have occurred since Milton moved away from Florida, including 135 people who were saved from an assisted living home in Tampa, according to theHillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Several people were alsorescued from a Holiday Innin Plant City when floodwaters reached guests’ and employees’ knees. No one was injured.

source: people.com