Hurricane Milton has ripped through the southern US state of Florida, leaving millions of homes and businesses without power.

US weather officials say Milton made landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 3 hurricane before weakening to Category 1 and moving northeast.

AP news agency says dozens of homes were destroyed before the hurricane came ashore and knocked out power to more than three million homes and businesses.

Local authorities ordered more than seven million residents to evacuate ahead of the storm's arrival.

Over 55,000 people were taking shelter at about 300 locations before the hurricane made landfall.

Milton is expected to head to the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday morning and gradually weaken further.

Florida and other southern states were battered by Hurricane Helene in late September. More than 230 people were killed in major flooding and landslides caused by the storm.

Debris remaining in the area poses a threat as it could be blown around by strong winds from Milton. There are also concerns about more flooding in areas already affected by Helene.