As Hurricane Milton leaves a path of destruction in its wake, Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez told Newsmax on Thursday that “now is not the time” for residents to return to their homes and businesses.

Hurricane Milton hit the east coast of Florida on Wednesday evening, causing flooding and spawning untold numbers of tornadoes whose damage is still being assessed. Nunez said while its natural for Floridians to want to return home and start the process of clean up, the priority now is “to make sure people are safe.”

“If you’re in a shelter, please stay there,” she told “Wake Up America.” “Make sure that you’re waiting to get those local orders that it’s all clear for you to go back home because many of the fatalities tragically occur post storm.” Read more.