ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — As Hurricane Milton steadily moves away from Florida, St. Lucie County says it is assessing the damages from the strong storm.

St Lucie County said first responders and public works crews are busy tackling the aftermath of two tornadoes that hit on Wednesday at around 4:30 p.m. Sadly, the St. Lucie Medical Examiner has confirmed that these tornadoes have caused four deaths.

St. Lucie County Emergency Management officials are asking the public to remain off the roads until it has been deemed safe to do so. Officials said wanderers could impede critical response and recovery operations.

A news conference will be held by county officials on Thursday at noon, providing more details.

See also: Governor DeSantis to update on Hurricane Milton aftermath

Significant damage has been reported to multiple homes and structures across St. Lucie County, including the City of Port St. Lucie and surrounding unincorporated areas. The severely affected areas include:

In response to the urgent need for shelter, St. Lucie County has collaborated with its county Public Schools and the Florida Department of Health St. Lucie County to open an additional shelter at Fort Pierce Central High School for residents displaced by the tornadoes. Nurses and crisis counselors are available on-site to provide assistance, officials stated.

As of 6:35 a.m. on Thursday, over 64,000 customers are experiencing power outages in St. Lucie County. Florida Power & Light (FPL) reports 48,870 outages, while Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) has 15,567 customers affected. St. Lucie County remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.

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