Hurricane Milton: 'Multiple fatalities' reported as tornadoes tear through Florida

St. Lucie County sheriff has confirmed "multiple fatalities" following a tornado that ripped through the area earlier today as Hurricane Milton wreaks havoc .

Sheriff Keith Pearson announced that several individuals lost their lives at the Spanish Lakes Country Club, a community predominantly inhabited by seniors. The exact death toll remains uncertain at this time as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida's coast .

Pearson emphasized that comprehensive checks of each residence are being conducted to assist those impacted as search and rescue efforts continue in full force. Many agencies, including Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, have converged on the scene to offer support.

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"We have dozens of homes in St. Lucie County that have been damaged, some catastrophic damage," St. Lucie County spokesman Erick Gill said.

"We are working with the St. Lucie County Fire District ... National Guard, as well as units from the sheriff's office and even first responders from surrounding counties to help with search and rescue." About 125 homes were destroyed statewide, according to officials.

Southern Florida was hit by heavy rain and tornadoes on Wednesday morning, with conditions deteriorating as the day progressed. The region is bracing for rainfall between six and 12 inches (15 to 31 centimeters), and up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in some areas, raising fears of catastrophic flooding.

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A tornado touched down on Wednesday morning in the sparsely populated Everglades and crossed Interstate 75. Another suspected tornado made landfall in Fort Myers, causing damage to trees and a gas station's canopy.

The tornado watch will remain in effect until Wednesday at 9pm ET and cover parts of south Florida, including Miami, Key Largo, Tampa, Port St. Lucie, Jupiter Farms, Sebring, Sebastian, Sarasota, North Port, Cape Coral, and Bonita Springs, according to the agency.

Kevin Guthrie, the director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, confirmed that multiple task forces are en route to the affected areas.

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