At least 16 people have died from Hurricane Milton, which roared onshore on Florida's west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing tornadoes, powerful winds and flooding rains. The monster storm forced millions to evacuate and left widespread destruction across Florida.

At least 17 people in Florida have died due to Hurricane Milton, according to confirmed reports across the state. Six of those deaths were in St. Lucie County. Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed initial deaths after tornadoes ripped through Spanish Lakes County Club Village and other areas near Lakewood Park in northern Fort Pierce.

Hurricane-weary Floridians assessed storm damage and started clearing out debris Friday, a day after Hurricane Milton brought floodwaters and destructive winds across a swath of Florida.