Plane evacuating people from Hurricane Milton crashes after takeoff

Video above: WFLA's JB Biunno and Meteorologist Eric Stone answer questions ahead of Hurricane Milton.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A plane carrying passengers evacuating from Hurricane Milton crashed near the southeast corner of the St. Pete Pier Tuesday morning, according to police.

Officers in St. Petersburg, Florida, said the small private plane crashed around 10:52 a.m. due to engine failure immediately after takeoff from the Albert Whitted Airport.

After crashing, the plane became fully submerged in the water.

All four of the passengers on board, including a dog, were rescued by the police department in a small boat. Three of the passengers were treated on scene and transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Fearful residents streamed out of the Tampa Bay region Tuesday ahead of what could be a once-in-a-century direct hit from Hurricane Milton.

“Today’s the last day to get ready,” said Craig Fugate, a former FEMA director who previously ran the state’s emergency operation division. “This is bringing everything.”

After weakening slightly, Milton regained strength Tuesday afternoon and became a Category 5 storm again, with winds of 165 mph. It could make landfall Wednesday night in the Tampa Bay area, which has a population of more than 3.3 million people. The 11 Florida counties under mandatory evacuation orders are home to about 5.9 million people, according to population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Those who defy the orders are on their own, and first responders are not expected to risk their lives to rescue them at the height of the storm.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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