Hurricane Milton live updates: At least 12 deaths confirmed after monster storm slams into Florida

The dangerous storm spawned a tornado outbreak ahead of landfall. Millions were without power after the hurricane made landfall as a Category 3 storm.

Although Hurricane Milton has exited the state, Florida officials urged residents to stay inside in areas seeing major flooding.

Flooding continues in Hillsborough County, on Florida’s west coast; St. Johns, near Jacksonville and the Little Wekiva River in the Orlando region, said Kevin Guthrie, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director.

Guthrie said water levels in those areas are continuing to rise. A storm surge is also expected along the east coast, Guthrie said.

“Roadways are flooded, and the potential for hazardous conditions with them still exists. Please do not walk or drive through them,” Guthrie said.

He added that people should not visit impacted areas because they are inhibiting first responders from doing their jobs.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said this afternoon that at least 340 people and 49 pets have been rescued. He said hundreds of rescuers are involved in missions in 26 counties.

Punta Gorda, Florida, resident Patti Drew says she never expected the damage to her home from Hurricane Milton to be as bad as it is.

“It’s horrible, she said. “Hope we can get it back to liveable.”

Family member Deborah Drew added that Patti has no flood insurance and is on a fixed income. “She’s devastated,” Deborah Drew said. “She can’t live in this.”

Deborah added that Patti had already “lost everything” after Hurricane Helene hit Florida.

“Now whatever she got fixed up and repaired and put back together is gone again,” Deborah said.

The Volusia County sheriff took NBC News on an airboat through one of the many flooded neighborhoods in South Daytona.

Water appears to be feet deep, with it reaching more than halfway up a stop sign pole and the trunks of trees.

A large truck was able to drive through the floodwaters, with the water reaching up to the top of its tires, but it would have been impossible for normal cars to move through this.