FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Six fatalities have been confirmed in a senior mobile home community in St. Lucie County following the devastating passage of Hurricane Milton, officials at a local fire department reported. The hurricane, which struck the area on Wednesday, spurred multiple tornadoes that wreaked havoc on the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village and surrounding locations.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson detailed the tragic aftermath, noting that five of the six deaths were directly linked to tornadoes that had touched down rapidly within a 20-minute span around 4:45 p.m. The modular homes, primarily inhabited by elderly residents, were significantly impacted, leaving many with nowhere to turn.
During a press briefing, a visibly shaken Pearson described the scene as unprecedented. “This is like nothing else we’ve seen,” he remarked, underscoring the sheer scale and destructive power of the tornadoes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was present at the briefing, highlighted the extensive emergency response that included over 100 personnel from various state agencies.
The rapid succession of twisters not only claimed lives but also left physical scars on the community. A resident recounted to media the loss of neighbors and the rescue of a pet from a decimated dwelling. He lamented, “At the end of my row, none of these manufactured homes are livable.” The sense of displacement was palpable as residents grappled with their sudden homelessness.
In terms of infrastructure, the sheriff mentioned significant damage to property including the total loss of a sheriff’s office hangar which a tornado possibly obliterated. This event demonstrates the severity of the storm system, which had the force to dismantle large structures.
Rescue operations faced challenges due to the deteriorating weather overnight, prompting teams to suspend their efforts temporarily. However, with the break of dawn, search and rescue missions resumed in full force. “Every possible thing we can do is being done to search the area, check the residences and, if there is anyone inside the residences, we’re going to work through the storm to get them out,” Pearson assured.
Across the state, officials confirmed the occurrence of at least 19 tornadoes and issued 116 tornado warnings. Notably, another tornado was reported in western Broward County, though it fortunately did not result in any reported injuries or damage.
The community, emergency workers, and state officials continue to assess the aftermath as they initiate recovery efforts. The extensive response reflects a concerted effort to aid those affected and restore normalcy as swiftly as possible in the face of such unexpected and severe weather events.