Tom Bateman
Reporting from central Florida

Here in central Florida, the winds continue to howl and moan, and a flash flood warning is issued as Hurricane Milton barrels through the state.

As it barreled into the Gulf Coast, winds of 120 miles per hour sent a surge of seawater into communities where residents had previously been told to evacuate to save their lives.

Two million homes and businesses are now without power. By evening, many neighborhoods were deserted as emergency services warned it was too dangerous to answer calls.

The incoming hurricane also spawned many tornadoes throughout the day, including a huge tornado that crossed a stretch of highway known as Alligator Alley.

On the Atlantic coast, police say a number of people have been killed at a resort after several tornadoes touched down in 20 minutes.

The St. Lucie County sheriff described cars flipping and moving for hundreds of feet.

Ahead of recovery efforts, state authorities have deployed nearly 10,000 National Guard members, with up to 20 million meal kits and 40 million gallons of water ready to distribute.

Image source, Reuters