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Rescue operations are underway after a huge tropical storm hit the US state of Florida on Wednesday 9 October.

Hurricane Milton brought 124mph (200km/h) winds and heavy rains of up to 18in (45cm) in some areas.

It was classed as a dangerous category five hurricane to begin with, but was downgraded to category three when it hit land.

Despite the storm weakening as it moved across the state it still caused lots of damage and disruption for people there.

Workers are still assessing the extent of the damage, but so far reports have shown trees were blown down, entire neighbourhoods were flooded, and more than 100 homes were destroyed.

A roof was also torn off a baseball stadium in St Petersburg.

Despite the damage, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state did not experience "the worst-case scenario".

Two and a half million homes and businesses are still without power according to PowerOutage US, which tracks customers' electricity supplies in the country.

Some people have died or been injured as a result of the devastating storm, but 1,000 people and 105 animals have been rescued by Urban Search and Rescue Teams and the Florida National Guard, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Rescue operations are underway with urban search and rescue teams conducting door-to-door searches.

Large vehicles, boats and helicopters were sent across Florida to find people who needed rescuing.

There are 23 Urban Search and Rescue Teams made up of more than 1,600 people, and 10 Swift Water Teams which are people trained to conduct rescues in rapid water.

The Florida National Guard has sent more than 6,500 of its members to help with the rescue efforts, and Gov. DeSantis says they're expecting approximately 2,500 more from other states.

Around 400 people were saved from a flooded apartment building in Pinellas County on the West coast.

Volunteers have been handing out hot meals to those in affected areas.

There have been many reports of incredible individual rescues too - for example, a captain of a fishing boat was rescued by the Florida Coast Guard.

He was floating 30 miles out to sea in the Gulf of Mexico on a cool box, but was brought safely back to shore by helicopter.

Singer Taylor Swift has also donated $5 million to help with the relief efforts.

As extra resources are needed to deal with the aftermath, US President Joe Biden says Congress should return to address the situation immediately.

Congress is a part of the American government and they are currently on a break called recess.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington, President Biden said rebuilding the area is "going to take several billion dollars" and it's "going to be a long haul".

Hurricane Milton came only days after Hurricane Helene also hit Florida.

Presidential candidate Donald Trump has suggested that Milton survivors will only receive $750 to help with their damages.

However, President Biden said this was false, and called the claim "bizarre".

The claim was made because that's the lump sum that was given to those affected by Helene, however this was just one amount that was immediately given to help buy food and other supplies, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency explained there was much more help available.