First fatalities from Hurricane Milton reported in St. Lucie County as tornadoes terrorize towns

St. Lucie County sheriff confirmed "multiple fatalities" reported after a tornado tore through the area earlier today.

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 began experiencing heavy rain and tornadoes on Wednesday morning, and conditions worsened. Rainfall between six and 12 inches (15 to 31 centimeters), and up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in some areas, was expected further inland, posing a risk of catastrophic flooding.

One tornado landed on Wednesday morning in the sparsely populated Everglades and crossed Interstate 75. Another suspected tornado touched down in Fort Myers, snapping tree limbs and tearing apart a gas station's canopy.

According to the agency, the tornado watch will remain in effect until Wednesday at 9 p.m. 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.

Kevin Guthrie, the director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, said they have multiple task forces headed to the affected areas.