TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Debby claimed four lives as it battered Florida's Gulf Coast with strong winds and heavy rainfall, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed.
The governor shared the news Monday during a news conference on the state's emergency response efforts.
One death happened in Hillsborough County when a semi-truck driver lost control on Interstate 75, sending the cab of his 18-wheeler into the Tampa Bypass Canal. The Florida Highway Patrol identified him as a 64-year-old man from New Albany, Mississippi.
Another death happened in Levy County, where a tree fell onto a mobile home.
DeSantis said "a young girl was killed" inside the home. However, the Levy County Sheriff's Office said it was a 13-year-old boy who "was crushed inside the home."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with this family as they deal with this tragedy. We encourage everyone to use extreme caution as they begin to assess and clean up the damage. Downed powerlines and falling trees are among the many hazards. One life is too many. Please be safe," the sheriff's office wrote.
Two more deaths came from a traffic accident in Dixie County, according to the governor.
“That’s obviously very tragic. We do think though that Floridians heeding the call of being careful, particularly on the roads, has reduced what would otherwise have been because there’s been some nasty conditions out there," DeSantis said.
Floridians are urged to remain cautious as the state continues to see rain and wind from what is now Tropical Storm Debby.
Several areas, including the Tampa Bay region, are facing several feet of flooding, downed power lines, downed trees and debris.