Photos – Businesses brace for Hurricane Milton

Meteorologists confirm 6 tornadoes hit Indian River County last week

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Meteorologists continued scrolling through pages of data and combing through tornado-damaged areas, finding evidence that three more tornadoes hit the county last week. This brings the total number of tornadoes to at least six that swept through the area on Oct. 9 as Hurricane Milton's outer rain bands plowed across Indian River County. In a Friday update, weather experts said two tornadoes struck western Indian River County, a less populated and rural area. The EF rating, or Enhanced Fujita Scale that rates the strength of tornadoes, and exact tracks were not immediately known for those tornadoes, said Megan Tollefsen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. "Those (tornado confirmations) were based off of radar ...

County: 51 homes destroyed, tornado damage estimates increase to $59M

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An ongoing county assessment found that 51 homes destroyed in the tornado outbreak preceding Hurricane Milton make up the majority of the $59.06 million in total damages as of Thursday. County officials said the initial estimate - $55 million - was expected to grow. The residential properties - mostly on the barrier island and in the Highlands - sustained $43.67 million in damages, county officials said. Commercial properties and businesses had $15.38 million in damages. County Administrator John Titkanich said overall 91 homes had major structural damage, 195 had minor structural damage and 457 had minor damage to properties. For commercial properties and businesses - including stores, coffee shops and restaurants - three were destroyed, 26 ...

Multi-Agency Resource Center to close; Disaster Relief Center to open at IG Center

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Multi-Agency Resource Center is planning to close at the end of the day on Friday, said Matt Tanner, executive director for United Against Poverty of Indian River County. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton will be able to visit the FEMA Disaster Relief Center at the Intergenerational Center, which will open as early as Saturday. "Right now, we're looking at the MARC running through the end of the day tomorrow, which will then transition into the opening of the Disaster Relief Center. If we need to extend into next week, we will," Tanner said on Thursday. "When the MARC closes down, the agencies here will transition back to their respective locations and offer the same services. ...