Hurricane Michael's Death Toll Expected To Rise As Cleanup Continues

View of the damaged caused by Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida,

Authorities in Florida expect the death toll from Hurricane Michael to increase as search and rescue teams continue to look for survivors of the massive storm. As of Sunday (10/14) morning, there were 18 confirmed fatalities with at least 2,100 people still missing or waiting to be rescued. 

"We still haven't gotten into some of the hardest-hit areas," said Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Mexico Beach, which took the brunt of the Category 4 storm when it made landfall is on lockdown and only residents are allowed inside. Authorities said that 285 people ignored evacuation orders and remained in the city.

Over 200,000 people across the Panhandle remain without power, or cell phone service. The lack of communications is hampering rescue efforts as officials must rely on satellite phones to coordinate their efforts. 

Florida Governor Rick Scott said that over 25,000 homes have been checked by around 1,700 rescue workers. Overall, there are nearly 6,500 members of the National Guard and law enforcement working around the clock to try to locate survivors and maintain order in the devastated areas. 

The rescue workers are being helped by volunteers from Houston-based CrowdSource Rescue, who have accounted for 345 people who were reported as missing following the storm. 

Photo: Getty Images


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