Teams from the volunteer organization were searching for more than 1,135 people in Florida who lost contact with friends and family.
Rescue teams searched ravaged areas of Florida's Panhandle on Tuesday for hundreds of people reported missing nearly a week after Hurricane Michael flattened communities in the region and killed at least 27.
Matthew Marchetti, co-founder of Houston-based CrowdSource Rescue, which had hundreds of volunteers on the ground, said he expects the death toll to rise as phone service is restored and roads are cleared.
"For every one person we have made contact with, there are probably three we haven't," Marchetti said.
Teams from the volunteer organization were searching for more than 1,135 people in Florida who lost contact with friends and family, he said.
Florida officials have not given a number for how many people are considered to be missing.
Debris, downed trees and power lines have hampered access to stranded people, but CrowdSource said a number of its missing person reports resulted from widespread phone and power outages.
The death toll includes 17 in Florida, one in Georgia, three in North Carolina and six in Virginia, according to a Reuters tally of official reports. Officials said medical examiners were determining whether another four deaths in Florida were due to the storm.
(With Reuters inputs)
1. Hurricane Michael hits Florida
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Contractors play a game of basketball against residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Springfield, Florida, U.S., October 16, 2018. (Photo: Reuters)
2. Hurricane Michael hits Florida
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Chuck Pester looks over the damage to his RV and back yard caused by Hurricane Michael in St. Andrews Bay, Florida, US, October 16, 2018. (Photo: Reuters)
3. Hurricane Michael hits Florida
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Taylor Fontenot, president of 50 Star Search and Rescue, distributes hot food prepared by Operation BBQ Relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Springfield, Florida, US, October 16, 2018. (Photo: Reuters)
4. Power lines destroyed
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Crews work to repair power lines downed by Hurricane Michael in Springfield, Florida, US, October 16, 2018. (Photo: Reuters)
5. Rescue operations underway
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Debris, downed trees and power lines have hampered access to stranded people, but CrowdSource said a number of its missing person reports resulted from widespread phone and power outages. (Photo: Reuters)
