Emergency operation centers open in Central Florida

Tornado watches issued for Marion, Flagler counties until 8 p.m.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Several counties across Central Florida are activating their emergency operation centers ahead of the severe weather expected Sunday night.

Severe storms are expected to develop over the eastern Gulf of Mexico ahead of a cold front, and move rapidly eastward across east Central Florida from late Sunday afternoon and extend into the evening. The strongest storms will have the potential to produce damaging wind gusts at speeds above 60 mph, with hail around an inch in diameter, as well as isolated tornadoes.

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A few strong long-tracked tornadoes are possible. Storms are expected to move quickly toward the east northeast at 45 to 50 mph.

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Sumter County activated its EOC at 3 p.m. Officials said they plan to open a shelter at the Sumter County Fairgrounds at 4 p.m.

Orange County has not activated its EOC, but officials said there will be emergency medical staff in the center beginning Sunday afternoon and extending into the evening.

"We have reached out to all of our EOC response partners asking them to also closely monitor and be available if needed," Orange County officials said. "Additionally, we have sent a public awareness message to citizens who are part of our OCALERT and OCFL Alert emergency messaging apps."

Seminole County officials said its EOC will open at 6 p.m. Seminole County parks will close at 5 p.m. because of the risk of bad weather.

"It looks like this could be a severe event -- an event like 1998. We know here in Seminole County what we experienced in 1998, and we're not going to not prepare for this one," Alan Harris, with Seminole County Emergency Management, said. "We are taking all precautions necessary. Hopefully Central Florida will dodge the bullet, and nothing will happen, but we are going to be prepared here in Seminole."

Brevard County officials said their EOC was activated to "Level 2" at 4 p.m., which means the center's staff and public information officers will be in place handling social media and other communications throughout the evening.

Osceola County opened its EOC at 5 p.m.

Volusia County partially activated its emergency management staff.

Flagler and Marion counties partially activated their emergency operation centers.

The University of Central Florida opened its EOC at 3 p.m. UCF police advised students to seek shelter inside.

Watch News 6 beginning at 5 p.m. for severe weather coverage. Updates also available on Twitter and Facebook.

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