Photos illustrate extent of devastation in Mexico beach

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Debris is seen piled in the street after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

by: Staff

Posted: Oct 12, 2018 / 12:14 AM EDT

Updated: Oct 12, 2018 / 03:55 PM EDT

MEXICO BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) — Photos taken Thursday in Mexico Beach illustrate the extent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael.

Michael roared ashore Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane near Mexico Beach, rendering the town nearly unrecognizable. Members of the South Florida Search and Rescue team spent Thursday searching for survivors in the destruction.

State officials said 285 people in Mexico Beach had defied a mandatory evacuation order ahead of Michael.

Photos show downed power lines, houses ripped apart and vehicles that seem to have been thrown around like rag dolls. Entire houses were carried into the middle of the street.