Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, has claimed at least 16 lives as it swept across Florida’s west coast, bringing tornadoes, strong winds, and severe flooding.

The storm struck just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, forcing millions to evacuate and causing widespread destruction, with some areas buried under sand. Six deaths occurred in St. Lucie County, where a dozen tornadoes were reported, four in Volusia County, two in St. Petersburg, and one in Citrus County, where a man was killed by a falling tree.

Hurricane Milton also triggered at least 38 tornadoes across Florida on Wednesday, with more expected as damage assessments continue. A record-breaking 126 tornado warnings were issued across the southern part of the state, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Local officials, including County Administrator George Landry, praised emergency responders for their bravery. “During the storm, our emergency personnel were literally dodging tornadoes to reach residents,” Landry said.