ORLANDO, Fla. – Severe weather warnings have been issued Wednesday morning in Central Florida as strong storms move through the region.
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A tornado warning was issued for the southern portion of Sumter, Polk and Pasco counties. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued earlier in Marion County, and a tornado watch was in effect for Marion and Sumter counties, but all the alerts have expired, according to News 6 chief meteorologist Tom Sorrells.
"Rain chances are at 80 percent in the Orlando area, but the main threat will be strong winds," News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said.
Rain began hitting northwest portions of Central Florida earlier Wednesday morning.
The same storm system left at least three people dead in Louisiana and Mississippi.
A possible tornado also ripped through Pensacola on Tuesday evening, destroying an apartment complex and downing trees and power lines. Up to 24 units at an apartment complex were destroyed. No major injuries were reported, but residents were being bused to a nearby shelter operated by the American Red Cross.
[RELATED: 3 dead as storms slam Gulf states | NOAA radios not usable during storms]
Afternoon high temperatures will be in the low 80s in Orlando on Wednesday.
"Rain chances will be over for the evening as temperatures drop down into the 50s across Central Florida," Bridges said.
Afternoon highs will be in the upper 60s on Thursday and the mid-60s on Friday and Saturday, with no rain chances through the weekend.
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