The Washington Post reported, citing local authorities, that the death toll from Hurricane Milton in Florida reached 14 people.
The devastating hurricane made landfall on Florida's central west coast late Wednesday, classified as a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Several hurricanes passed through the state before the storm, causing additional damage. And U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced yesterday, Thursday, that at least 10 people were killed.
According to reports, six people were killed during the hurricane early Wednesday. Authorities in Vologda Oblast reported the deaths of 4 people during the storm. Among the dead were two women who were crushed by falling trees in their home.
Two more people were killed in St. Petersburg, Florida, and two in Citrus County.
U.S. authorities predicted flooding along Florida's densely populated and low-lying western coast. The hurricane is expected to later cross the peninsula towards the Atlantic Ocean, passing through the famous tourist city of Orlando.
The wind speed reached around 193 kilometers per hour on Wednesday evening. The cities located on the western coast witnessed fierce winds and heavy rains, while terrified residents sought safe refuge.
Sarasota and Tampa airports have also been closed until further notice. By 11 PM Eastern Time, wind speeds had decreased to 165 kilometers per hour, turning Milton into a Category 2 hurricane, although it is still considered very dangerous.
The eye of the hurricane was 120 kilometers southwest of Orlando in the central part of the state.