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Hurricane Milton triggers a deadly tornado outbreak in South Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla – A deadly tornado outbreak devastated much of Florida Wednesday as Hurricane Milton's powerful outer bands took advantage of atmospheric conditions conducive to severe weather.

One of the hardest hit areas was in St. Lucie County in southeast Florida. Officials with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said there were “multiple” tornado fatalities as part of Wednesday's outbreak. Further information on the number of deaths and the location of the deaths were not available.

On Wednesday morning, stunning videos from Florida Department of Transportation cameras along Interstate 75 in Alligator Alley between Broward and Palm Beach counties captured the destructive power of extreme weather in Milton, the state. It was the second tornado in less than 20 minutes observed as these storms moved north.

Tornadoes were spotted in Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, including one near the Florida Turnpike west of Fort Pierce.

Additional video footage captured the large tornado near the Miccosukee Service Plaza west of Andytown. The tornado was associated with a tornado-warned supercell thunderstorm.

Another video shot in Clewiston, Florida shows a tornado swirling across the landscape Wednesday morning.

Photos in West Palm Beach show extensive damage caused by a possible tornado in a neighborhood, including a dumpster on the roof of a home.

As of Wednesday evening, more than 125 tornado warnings had been issued – several of which confirmed tornado sightings.

A look at the tornado warnings issued so far for Hurricane Milton.
(FOX Weather)

The NWS Miami office broke its record for most tornado warnings in a single day with 55 on Wednesday. The previous record for this office was set during Hurricane Ian.

HURRICANE MILTON TRIGGERS A DANGEROUS TORNADO OUTBREAK IN FLORIDA BEFORE MAKING A DISASTER

The FOX Forecast Center said this type of severe weather is a common threat when tropical systems make landfall.

A three-hour radar loop shows where showers and thunderstorms will occur. Severe thunderstorm warnings are displayed in yellow. Tornado warnings are shown in red, while tornado warnings with a confirmed tornado are shown in purple. Flash flood warnings are shown in green, while flash flood emergencies are shown in pink.
(FOX Weather)

Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall near Siesta Key on Florida's central west coast late Wednesday around 8:30 p.m., the National Hurricane Center said.

Milton is poised to become one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history.

Storm surge associated with Milton is expected to be life-threatening and catastrophic, particularly along and south of the storm's track. Additionally, the hurricane's strong winds will cause significant damage as the eyewall moves through the state. An hour after landfall, more than a million power outages occurred in the Sunshine State.

By Vanessa

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