Hurricane Milton LIVE: Florida battered as police chief warns ‘we’ll find bodies’

K-12 schools in 53 of Florida’s 67 counties will be closed Thursday after Hurricane Milton struck the state after making landfall on the West Coast Wednesday evening.

Schools in 21 of the closed counties are expected to reopen Friday, according to the Florida Department of Education.

“The Florida Department of Education works closely with school districts before, during, and after a natural disaster to ensure they have the resources they need to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. We will continue to work with district leadership to resolve questions as they arise,” said a statement posted on the FLDOE website.

Ron DeSantis said he “has not confirmed” the deaths of four people believed to have been killed by tornadoes in St. Lucie County Wednesday before Hurricane Milton made landfall.

“That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been one at all,” Florida’s governor clarified.

He continued: “There is a process in the country for this to happen. I know there was a tornado. It’s very possible that that happened.

“This was the only report we received of a tornado. There is no confirmation. “I expect there will be some confirmation, but it is too early to say,” he said.

The morning briefing is now over.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program, which could provide $50 million in loans for small businesses.

“We have $50 million available to Florida small businesses, interest-free loans, very flexible repayment options,” he said during a briefing Thursday morning.

“Through the program, you can apply for a loan of up to $50,000. “Loans of up to $100,000 are available for agricultural and aquaculture small businesses, and up to $150,000 are available for citrus and livestock businesses.”

“Standing rainwater may contain bacteria that can cause fatal infections,” said Ron DeSantis.

“Avoid wading into standing water, as this type of infection has been responsible for deaths since Hurricane Helen.”

The governor’s warning comes after the Florida Department of Health previously warned residents to avoid heavily flooded areas due to the risk of Vibrio infection.

Exposure to bacteria found in coastal waters (usually through open wounds or ingestion) can cause vibriosis. Vibrio infections can cause watery diarrhea, vomiting, blistering skin lesions, and discharge if the wound becomes infected.

“The Florida Department of Health urges residents and visitors to anticipate flooding and heavy rainfall due to Hurricane Milton to avoid flooding and prevent exposure to Vibrio,” the Florida Department of Health said in a statement Tuesday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, about 1 in 5 people who are infected die within a day or two of becoming sick.

“Now, as we survey and clean up the damage, please be mindful of the risks,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a Thursday morning press briefing.

“There are fatalities after almost every storm, and many of these fatalities are avoidable, so watch out for downed power lines.”

He continued: “Do not touch. Do not remove tree debris that may become entangled in downed power lines. Standing water can hide power lines and other hazards. So be careful and don’t walk in the storm.”

DeSantis announced dozens of search and rescue missions have been completed and more than 48 residents have been rescued across Florida.

“The state search and rescue team reported that at least 48 people had been rescued as of 6.30am. National Guard search and rescue teams worked through the night to successfully rescue families and pets from the tornado’s destruction along the West Coast and parts of eastern, central and eastern Florida.”

“that [Florida National Guard] We are continuing to work into the morning, have 31 rescue aircraft in operation, and hundreds of rescuers participating in more than 125 active missions across 26 counties,” DeSantis said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed relief for Florida after Hurricane Milton struck the state’s west coast Wednesday night, saying “this was not the worst-case scenario.”

“Thankfully, this was not the worst-case scenario,” the governor said during a Thursday morning press briefing.

“The storm weakened before landfall, and the storm surge was not as severe overall as that observed for Hurricane Helen, as initially reported.”