Officials expect more dead as rescuers probe Florida hurricane debris

13-year-old Kaleb Cassel removes belongings from a flea market damaged by Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida, U.S. October 11, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman

PORT ST. JOE, Fla. (Reuters) - Rescuers used heavy equipment and search dogs on Friday to look for people trapped or killed in the Florida Panhandle towns devastated by Hurricane Michael, amid expectations the death toll of 12 from the powerful storm will climb.

So far, counties along the hard-hit northwest Florida coast have reported no deaths related to the storm. That could change, as efforts to assess damage and look for casualties in the worst-hit communities have been hampered by downed utility lines and roads blocked by debris and fallen trees.