We're going to end our live coverage of Hurricane Milton here.

But we'll continue to update you on the storm's aftermath in our main story.

You can also see our explainer on what makes a hurricane versus a cyclone here.

Here are some of today's key events to get you up to speed:

• Hurricane Milton made landfall as category three storm
  
• US President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency
• Over 1.8 million people were left without power
• One death was reported on Florida's Atlantic Coast
• Milton was downgraded to a category one hurricane
• Flash flooding, storm surge dangers remain as Milton moves off Florida coast
  

Thank you for joining us.

You can take a look back at all the developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest updates.

It's still dark in Florida, with sunrise expected at 7:15am local time — an hour away.

These are some of the first images which have come through of the damage from Milton overnight, after the hurricane moved off Florida's east coast earlier.

We received a comment from Sarah a short while ago asking why the birds in Florida were acting so strangely before Milton hit.

Here's one of the videos Sarah might have been referring to:

Environment Florida advocate Mia McCormick says some birds "are able to pick up on changes in barometric pressure and infrared radiation" which come with a hurricane on its way prompting behavioural changes including early migrations.

"But overall birds are the most at risk of suffering harm from hurricanes," out of all animals, she says.

"They don’t have many places to seek shelter and are easily tossed around in high winds without much protection on their bodies.

Birds who nest in trees or inside trunks often die when those trees are brought down in high winds."

It is now 5:30am in Florida.

Milton is showing wind speeds of 150 kilometres per hour, tracking 17 kilometres north-west of  Cape Canaveral — home to NASA's Space Force Station.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he hoped Tampa Bay, once seen as the potential bull's eye, could dodge major damage.

But the hurricane still left its mark, tearing open the roof of Tropicana Field — the stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.

The winds also toppled a large construction crane in St Petersburg, sending the structure crashing down onto a deserted street.

In Fort Myers on Florida's south west coast, resident Connor Ferrin surveyed the wreckage of his home. 

It had lost its roof and was full of debris and rainwater after a tornado suddenly hit.

"All this happened instantaneous, like these windows blew out," he said. 

"I grabbed the two dogs and run under my bed and that was it. Probably one minute total."

Reuters

As Milton moves off Florida's east coast, the National Hurricane Center says Florida residents will still see hurricane-force winds and flash flooding over the next few hours, and there is still a danger of life-threatening storm surge from Florida to Georgia. 

In their latest update, the National Hurricane Centre says Milton is moving off the east coast but is still producing heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds in east-central Florida.

Enquiries to determine whether any Australian citizens have been impacted by Hurricane Milton are ongoing, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says.

Any Australians in need of emergency consular assistance can contact the 24-hour emergency call centre.

"Australian officials in the United States are making enquiries to determine whether any Australians have been impacted by Hurricane Milton," a DFAT spokesperson said.

"Australians in the region are advised to follow the directions of local authorities.

"Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre 1300 555 135 (within Australia) and +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas)."

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue says it responded to "multiple reports of tornadoes, associated injuries, and trapped people in the Wellington, Acreage, and Loxahatchee areas" on Wednesday afternoon local time.

Five patients, including three trauma patients, were transported to hospital and several people suffering from minor injuries were treated.

The fire department said emergency calls continued to come in for around 50 minutes at 7am AEST.

"Palm Beach County Fire Rescue immediately sent at least 40 units to the affected areas while the tornado was still circulating," the statement read.

"Firefighters located and rescued multiple people from damaged structures and vehicles.

"Some were trapped under rubble or stuck in overturned vehicles tossed by the strong winds. Our Special Operations Team conducted a technical rescue to free one person from an overturned RV.

"Firefighters transported five patients, including three trauma patients, and treated many more walk-up patients with minor injuries. Our crews on the scene reported several damaged homes, vehicles picked up and moved, and debris all over the area."

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has shared images of downed power lines on social media as he urged people to stay off the roads.

The sheriff posted the images after his office confirmed recovery efforts had begun in some parts of the county.

"Post-storm recovery efforts have begun in some parts of our county," the sheriff's office said.

"Please stay home, as we have received reports of downed trees and flooded streets. Your safety is our priority!"

Orlando's police and fire departments are back in action after earlier being pulled off the road due to high winds. 

The city confirmed emergency services were now responding to calls and urged locals to continue sheltering.