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An aerial video drone from Mexico Beach, Florida, shows a part of the city where almost all structures are no longer standing. So far, there has only been one confirmed death in Mexico Beach, which Hurricane Michael almost erased from the map. (October 16)
AP

A body is removed after being discovered while searching for a housing structure following Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida on October 12, 2018.(Photo: DAVID GOLDMAN / AP)

Almost a week after Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle with winds of 155 km / h, authorities reported Tuesday that 12 people were found dead in Bay County, the most-affected region. including Panama City and Mexico Beach.

This announcement from Bay County Sheriff, Tommy Ford, will likely increase the total number of storm victims nationwide well above 20 people.

In Florida, it is difficult to obtain a concrete number of casualties because of constant search and rescue efforts, irregular reception of cells, and the rapid overall pace of recovery efforts. Before Tuesday morning, the death toll was eight in Florida, three in North Carolina, one in Georgia and six in Virginia, for a total of 18 at that time.

At least two of the victims were in the small seaside town of Mexico Beach, which was almost destroyed when Michael roared in the area last Wednesday.

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In Bay County, authorities announced Tuesday morning that urban search and rescue teams had completed 99 percent of their first "fast" searches in Bay County.

According to reports released on Monday, six people are still missing in Bay County. This figure was previously 285, but officials believe that many left just before the storm.

Residents were also informed Monday that they could start returning home to examine the damage.

Overall, in the Florida counties most affected by Hurricane Michael, nearly 16,000 isolated homes were damaged and more than 4,000 were destroyed.

Contributing: The Associated Press; The Pensacola Newspaper

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