Tropical storm and hurricane warnings have been lifted on the west coast of Florida, according to the US’s National Hurricane Service.
Hurricane Milton has lingered for longer with damaging winds in the east and centre of Florida, the service said.
But an earlier tropical storm warning for all of the Florida Keys and from the Palm Beach-Broward County Line southwards was discontinued earlier, along with a hurricane watch for Martin County and Lake Okeechobee.
Meanwhile, a storm surge warning was lifted from Anclote River to the Middle of Longboat Key, including Tampa Bay, with a storm surge warning also called off from Bonita Beach to Flamingo.
‘Everything in the hurricane’s path is gone’: Multiple deaths as homes lifted up by hurricane, officials announce
A number of people have been killed by Hurricane Milton in one area of Florida, officials say.
Sheriff Keith Pearson said he could not say exactly how many people had died in St Lucie County due to the storm.
“Unfortunately, I do have to report that we do have multiple fatalities,” he told CNN News Central.
He added that a “modular home community” for people of 55 and older was hit by a tornado.
“Their whole homes with them inside were lifted up, moved, destroyed,” he said.
“I mean, everything in the hurricane or this tornado’s path is gone.”
The St Lucie Medical Examiner said four people had been killed as a result of tornadoes, a separate statement by county officials said.
“Numerous homes and structures across St Lucie County, including the City of Port St Lucie and unincorporated areas, suffered significant damage,” it said.
Daylight begins to reveal scale of devastation
Florida has now had daylight for a little more than half an hour this morning, with officials and residents now able to begin assessing the scale of the damage wrought by Hurricane Milton.
Some of the early images emerging from the state gives us a clearer picture of Tropicana Field, in St Petersburg, home to baseball team the Tampa Bay Rays, where the roof was torn off during the storm.
Other photos show a tree lying across a main road in downtown Tampa.
Viral star Lieutenant Dan says hurricane was ‘awesome’
Online star Joe Malinowski, better known as Lieutenant Dan, has survived Hurricane Milton despite defying evacuation advice.
Speaking to Sky News’ James Matthews he said: “It was awesome.
“I’ve had more eventful nights.”
Mr Malinowski has attracted fame for his defiance of orders to leave the area – by instead opting to stay on his 20ft boat in Tampa Bay.
The image above is a snap of him on Thursday morning, courtesy of NBC News.
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