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Emergency crews have launched an operation to rescue up to 18 people who are trapped in an apartment block. 

Boats have been deployed to save those inside the building, where flood water is said to be chest-deep in places.

Police said they received a string of 911 calls from the block, which is in the city of Clearwater, on the west coast of Florida.

Rob Shaw from Clearwater Police told broadcaster WFTS: “We’ve got some serious flooding here at the apartment complex.

“We’ve had multiple calls, possibly as many as 18 residents reported they’re being trapped.”

He added: “Our crews are using inflatable boats and highwater vehicles to try to go door-to-door to check on people. 

“This is probably just the tip of the iceberg and one of the reasons why we’re encouraging people to stay home and stay safe.”

Water levels continuing to rise – DeSantis

Ron DeSantis is giving a news conference, updating on the hurricane aftermath.

He says that “water levels are forecast to continue rising”.

The Florida governor says several rivers reached a “major flood stage”, and major flooding is set to continue at the Hillsborough River, St John’s River, and Little River.

Rainfall has been at 10 to 15 inches in Tampa Bay, Mr DeSantis says, with “isolated pockets” of up to 18 inches in some areas.

At least 48 people rescued, with more than a hundred ‘active missions’ still taking place this morning

At least 48 people have been rescued as of 6.30am local time, Ron DeSantis says.

“National Guard search and rescue teams have worked overnight and successfully executed rescues of families and pets,” he says. 

More than 80,000 people were in shelters overnight as the storm hit the state. 

Hundreds of rescuers are continuing this morning, with 125 active missions taking place in 26 different counties. More than 6,500 soldiers have been deployed throughout the state.

Warning about post-storm dangers

DeSantis also warned people to be cautious of hazards as they begin to clean up in the aftermath of the storm: “We have post-storm fatalities almost every storm”. 

Standing water can conceal downed power lines and other hazards, he added, warning people to never walk through storm waters. 

“Standing storm waters can also carry a bacterium that can lead to fatal infections. This type of infection was responsible for a fatality following Hurricane Helene. So please avoid wading through standing water.”

Hurricane was not ‘worst-case scenario’, governor says

Florida governor Ron DeSantis said that while Hurricane Milton was “significant”, it “thankfully was not the worst-case scenario”.

He added: “The storm did weaken before landfall and the storm surge, as initially reported, has not been as significant overall as what was observed for Hurricane Helene.

“Right now, it looks like Sarasota County had the most significant storm surge.

“Likely somewhere between eight to 10 ft, and remember with Helene we had 15 to 20 feet up in Taylor County.”

‘A lot of school closures’ still in place

Moving on to the state of the education and transport infrastructure, Florida governor Ron DeSantis says there are still “a lot of school closures for today”.

He advises people to stay in contact with their local education officials, but predicts those schools outside the direct path of the hurricane may be open tomorrow.

Those in the direct path may take a few more days to reopen.

On the roads, Mr DeSantis says 150 bridge inspectors have been sent out to look at the spans across impacted areas.

People have a right to be back in their homes “as soon as the roadways are deemed safe”.

He adds that there is debris on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Tampa Airport is carrying out some repairs on “minimal damage” – and should be open tomorrow, according to Mr DeSantis – with ports likely to open “very quickly” too.

Residents urged to keep ‘sheltering in place’

The news conference has also been hearing from Kevin Guthrie, from Florida’s division of emergency management.

He says it is vital for residents to remain indoors in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

“Please make sure you are sheltering in place until officials determine it is safe for you to leave,” he says.

He adds: “In the 72 hours after a storm, there is a parallel effort to search, secure and stabilise the area, as search and rescue missions continue in response to Milton.

“Please do not go out and visit the impacted areas. You will be inhibiting first responders by doing so. Right now we need those roadways clear.”

He says rescue crews will carry out door-to-door enquiries in the worst-affected areas.

“While this was not the worst-case scenario, we still had damage,” he adds.

At least two arrested for looting – more detail given on hurricane response events

A representative from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Committee gives more details on what operations they have been carrying out.

He says that more than 42 rescues have been carried out, with search and rescue efforts “ongoing”.

In one county there were seven land rescues, three water rescues and several welfare checks.

He adds there were “two arrested for looting” and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Elsewhere, 21 people were rescued from an apartment building, and another six were rescued and four evacuated due to tornadoes.

The official adds that several people were rescued from a vehicle in a ditch, one person was pulled from a flooded vehicle and three from a flooded apartment.

In Tampa, 100 people were evacuated from an assisted living facility and another 20 evacuated from a senior living facility.