2 boaters missing after sailing to avoid Hurricane Milton: Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) St. Pete is searching for 2 boaters who were past seen leaving Charlotte Harbor successful southwest Florida connected Tuesday to debar Hurricane Milton making landfall.

Andreas Gabriel Kirchberger and Kenneth Thomas Reutzel were heading for Tarpon Springs successful a vas called the Helderberg/Queen Milania, officials said. Tarpon Springs is astir 92 miles northbound of Charlotte Harbor, which is located successful Charlotte County.

USCG Southeast posted to X respective pictures of their white-colored vas which appeared to beryllium a catamaran, a benignant of sailing yacht with 2 hulls. 

Missing boaters Hurricane Milton Missing boaters Hurricane Milton The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) St. Pete is searching for 2 boaters who were past seen leaving Charlotte Harbor successful southwest Florida connected Tuesday to debar Hurricane Milton making landfall. USCG Southeast Fox News

AT LEAST 4 DEAD AFTER TORNADOS RIP THROUGH ST. LUCIE COUNTY DURING MILTON: OFFICIALS

Anyone with accusation is asked to telephone Coast Guard St. Pete astatine 1-866-881-1392.

It comes arsenic a USCG rescue chopper unit dramatically hoisted a antheral to information aft helium was found clinging to a cooler astir 30 miles disconnected Longboat Key connected Thursday. A USCG helicopter from Air Station Miami was captured connected video approaching the antheral arsenic a subordinate of the unit is lowered into the water.

Hurricane Milton made landfall adjacent Siesta Key, Florida precocious Wednesday evening arsenic a Category 3 tempest with winds of 120 mph.

Missing boater Hurricane Milton (USCG Southeast )

VIRAL TAMPA SENSATION 'LIEUTENANT DAN,' WHO RODE OUT HURRICANE MILTON IN BOAT, DESCRIBES HOW HE SURVIVED

Milton’s decease toll has present risen to 17, including six successful St. Lucie County, 1 successful Polk County and 4 successful Volusia County. The deaths successful St. Lucie County were caused by a raging tornado that ripped done the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village elder community.

The hurricane moved off Florida's eastbound seashore Thursday greeting aft making landfall Wednesday. The almighty tempest brought destructive winds, wide powerfulness outages affecting implicit 4 cardinal customers and a important outbreak of tornadoes crossed the Sunshine State.

A Coast Guard rescue chopper unit dramatically hoist a antheral to information aft helium was recovered clinging to a cooler astir 30 miles disconnected Longboat Key connected Thursday. (U.S. Coast Guard Southeast)

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The USCG announced connected Thursday evening that ports are re-opening pursuing Hurricane Milton, but warned impacted communities should workout caution.

In Florida, Key West, Port Everglades, Port Miami and the Miami River have reopened, according to the property release.

Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.