A series of powerful tornadoes tore through a Fort Pierce community on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed that deaths had occurred at Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, located on Spanish Lakes Boulevard, but did not provide an exact number of casualties.

In an interview, Sheriff Pearson explained that his deputies and state emergency crews would be conducting door-to-door searches in the community, which is situated off Turnpike Feeder Road, west of Route 1.

Over 100 personnel are involved in the search and rescue operations.

“This is like nothing we’ve ever seen,” Pearson said, describing a scene where between six and twelve confirmed high-strength tornadoes ravaged the area within a 20-minute period. “We are doing everything possible to search the area, check the residences, and rescue anyone trapped inside,” he pledged.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and the National Guard are all providing support to the affected area.

Sheriff Pearson also confirmed that the SLCSO hangar was completely destroyed by a tornado, resulting in a loss estimated to be in the millions of dollars.

The 10,000 square foot steel structure housed the department’s vehicles.