At least 13 dead after Hurricane Milton hits Florida as Category 3 storm

An estimated 125 homes have been destroyed amid a "life-threatening" tornado outbreak ahead of Milton's landfall, according to Kevin Guthrie, the head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Florida's east coast has had "a lot of tornadic activity" that has resulted in structural damage, he said during a press briefing Wednesday evening.

Based on preliminary information, about 125 homes have been destroyed, "most of them mobile homes and senior communities," he said.

"So we're trying to get into Florida's most vulnerable to make sure we're they're taken care of," he added.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said there have been 116 tornado warnings issued on Wednesday, with 19 confirmed touchdowns.

The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton has come ashore in Florida with 120 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said.

"The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton is beginning to move onshore of the Florida gulf coast near Tampa and St. Petersburg where an Extreme Wind Warning is now in effect. Please shelter in place as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds overspread the region," the NHC warned.

Pasco County Fire Rescue in Tampa has suspended all emergency service response in the area as Milton nears landfall, with officials saying, "It's no longer safe for high-profile rescue vehicles to be on the road."

"If you're in danger, please call 911 and provide details of your situation. We're constantly monitoring weather conditions and emergency crews will respond as soon as it is safe to do so," officials said.

Ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall Wednesday night, the Sarasota Police Department said its last patrol vehicle has returned to headquarters.

"Sustained wind speeds are too strong for emergency services to respond," the department wrote in a statement on X. "We will now wait out the storm, just like you, and once it passes, we will begin our rescue and recovery process."

In a follow-up post, Sarasota officials said emergency services are "grounded."

"You need to shelter in place. If you need help, we cannot respond. Please do not venture out and put your life in danger," the department said.