Bodycam Footage Shows Cops Rescuing Children From Milton’s Destruction

Harrowing bodycam footage released by the Tampa Police Department shows deputies evacuating more than one dozen people, including several small children, after a tree crushed a home during Hurricane Milton’s landfall on Wednesday night.

On Wednesday evening, authorities were summoned to a single-story home in which 15 people were residing, the City of Tampa explained in a press release . The caller reported that a tree fell on the house. Police officers were sheltering less than two miles from the address, and ventured out to take the call.

The footage shows the officers entering the home and helping evacuate all of the residents, including several young children. Each of the occupants was taken to safety, the city reported. “They were transported to the closest shelter. One officer took the time to ensure the main power to the home was turned off before leaving.”

“Every member of this department is committed to the safety of our community,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. “The swift actions taken by these officers during a break in the storm bands provided this family with a sense of safety in a time of fear and uncertainty."

Hurricane Milton , following hot on the heels of Hurricane Helene , made landfall as a Category 3 storm along Florida’s coast on Wednesday night. Tampa’s mayor issued a grave warning to residents, telling them, “If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die." As the storm tore through the city, residents captured unbelievable footage of the roof of Tropicana Field being systematically torn away by winds which topped 100 MPH.

During a Thursday morning press conference, Governor Ron Desantis stated that 48 people had been rescued by state search and rescue teams as of 6:30 a.m. local time.