At least three people have died during cleanup efforts as locals return to storm-ravaged parts of Florida to dig out from under Hurricane Milton.

While Milton did not trigger the catastrophic surge of seawater feared in Florida, the clean-up operation could take many weeks or months.

Florida residents slogged through flooded streets, gathered up scattered debris and assessed damage to their homes on Friday after Hurricane Milton smashed through coastal communities and tore homes to pieces, flooded streets and spawned a barrage of deadly tornadoes.