At least 13 dead after Hurricane Milton hits Florida as Category 3 storm

St. Lucie County Sheriff told WPBF-TV "we have lost some life" in tornadoes that hit on the east coast of Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall Wednesday.

First responders were out for reported tornadoes in wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Martin County, St. Lucie County and the Vero Beach Region of Indian River County on the east coast of Florida.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson did not say how many people died, but did say they have asked for search and rescue teams.

Hurricane Milton made landfall around 8:30 p.m. near Siesta Key, Florida.

The National Weather Service Doppler radar data indicated Milton made landfall in Sarasota County along the west coast of Florida as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds.

Hurricane Milton has made landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm.

An estimated 125 homes have been destroyed amid a "life-threatening" tornado outbreak ahead of Milton's landfall, according to Kevin Guthrie, the head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Florida's east coast has had "a lot of tornadic activity" that has resulted in structural damage, he said during a press briefing Wednesday evening.

Based on preliminary information, about 125 homes have been destroyed, "most of them mobile homes and senior communities," he said.

"So we're trying to get into Florida's most vulnerable to make sure we're they're taken care of," he added.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said there have been 116 tornado warnings issued on Wednesday, with 19 confirmed touchdowns.

The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton has come ashore in Florida with 120 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said.

"The northern eyewall of Hurricane Milton is beginning to move onshore of the Florida gulf coast near Tampa and St. Petersburg where an Extreme Wind Warning is now in effect. Please shelter in place as these extremely dangerous hurricane-force winds overspread the region," the NHC warned.