Hurricane Milton moves offshore as search and recovery efforts continue

Hurricane Milton has transitioned into a non-tropical storm as it speeds east, away from Florida, leaving the task of cleanup and recovery in its wake.

Catch up quick: Milton made landfall Wednesday night near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph.

• Hurricane Milton marked the third landfalling hurricane of 2024, after Helene and Debby.
• This year "has now tied 1871, 1886, 1964, 2004 and 2005 for the most Florida landfalling" hurricanes on record in a single season, noted Philip Klotzbach, of Colorado State University, on X.

More from Axios:

• Hurricane Milton's ties to climate change
• What Tampa Bay's last major hurricane strike looked like, a century ago
• FEMA chief issues dire warning on hurricane disinformation

Editor's note: Coverage of this liveblog has concluded.

The state is working to restore power and replenish fuel supply quickly, with 50,000 pre-staged linemen, who "are going to work," DeSantis said.

• "Bottom line is, we got to get keep bringing fuel into this state," the governor said, adding that there's about 1.5 million gallons of diesel fuel and 1.1 million gallons of regular gasoline on hand in the state.

What he's saying: "The storm did not produce the worst case scenario in terms of storm surge," DeSantis said.

• "It doesn't mean there's not going be a lot of damage, it doesn't mean there's not going to be a lot we're going to have to contend with," he added. "But, just in terms of what we were prepped for, I think we probably have an abundance of resources."
• At least 340 people and 49 pets have been rescued so far, DeSantis later added from a Sarasota news briefing around 3:30pm ET.

President Biden said from the White House Thursday that there are "still very dangerous conditions" in Florida.

State of play: People "should wait to be given an all-clear by their leaders before they go out," the president said, noting that in past hurricanes, more lives have been lost in the days after the initial landfall than during the storm itself.

• While it's too early to know the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, the president said, "lifesaving measures did make a difference."
• He said he and Vice President Harris "have been in constant contact" with state and local officials, offering support.
• "This is going to be a long haul for total rebuilding," Biden said. "It's going to take several billion dollars. It's not just going to be a little bit."