Multiple deaths reported as Hurricane Milton hits Florida

President Joe Biden had described Milton as looking like the 'storm of the century'.

According to NBC affiliate WPTV, the sheriff of Florida county St. Lucie has confirmed that multiple people have been killed at the senior community of Spanish Lakes Country Club.

This was due to a tornado outbreak, with sheriff Keith Pearson describing the conditions as "a weather event like none other".

At the time of writing, it is not clear how many people have died but Pearson told WPTV that his deputies are checking every home in the area and "listening for life".

"We want to get to anybody who might be trapped underneath the rubble or trapped in these situations and get them out safely," he said.

Fort Myers in Florida after Hurricane Milton

According to the sheriff, somewhere between six and 12 tornados hit St. Lucie County.

Described as looking like the "storm of the century" by US President Joe Biden, before Hurricane Milton's landfall in Florida, people all the way across the state were issued warnings.

Speaking to CBS News at that time, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said his state was "absolutely" ready for the conditions.

"I do think a lot of people did get out and I hope we don't have to effectuate a lot of rescues but we'll be ready," he explained.

"It'll be the largest search and rescue function that we've ever done."

Storm debris after Hurricane Milton in Sarasota, Florida

At the time of writing, there are more than three million customers without power in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Milton, according to Poweroutage.us.

This is as the authorities across the US state are urging the public stay off the streets as "extremely dangerous" downed power lines and other debris are being cleared.

Read more:

• Tributes pour in for ex-Garda and Dr. Quirkey’s owner after his death