Hurricane Milton updates: 16 dead across Florida in storm's aftermath

The IRS warned that criminals may try to take advantage of victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the agency urged the public to be vigilant when donating to relief efforts.

"Our hearts go out to the victims of the recent hurricanes," the IRS Criminal Investigation service tweeted. "During times of crisis, many of us want to help—but unfortunately, scammers take advantage of these moments."

With six states from North Carolina to Florida under disaster declarations, the IRS is warning Americans to verify a charity’s legitimacy, be cautious of unsolicited texts and social media postings and to never send money in the form of gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

"Be suspicious if they pressure you to act immediately," the IRS said.

-ABC News’ Luke Barr

Flights are resuming at Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport on Friday following Hurricane Milton. But about one-fourth of flights leaving both airports have been canceled.

The death toll from Hurricane Milton has risen to 16.

In Orange County, which encompasses Orlando, a 60-year-old man died Thursday when he stepped on a downed power line while cleaning debris from the storm, the sheriff's office said.

In Tampa, a woman in her 70s was killed by a fallen tree branch, police said.

Six of the storm deaths were attributed to tornadoes in St. Lucie County.

A tornado that tore through Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, during Milton has been preliminarily rated EF-3 with winds of 140 mph, the National Weather Service in Miami said Thursday.

"Several strong tornadoes developed within rainbands associated with Hurricane Milton. This is the first and very preliminary EF rating for one of those tornadoes," the NWS said.

The tornado had a "relatively long track," and the EF-3 preliminary rating was "based on just one neighborhood which was also one of the hardest hit," the NWS said.

"Considerable structural damage" was seen in the Avenir community in Palm Beach Gardens, with damage to homes including large sections of roof torn off, it said.

The EF Scale estimates a tornado's intensity on a scale from 0 to 5, according to the NWS.

Storm surveys for Milton will take several days to complete, it said.