Seminole County, NWS continue partnership to keep Floridians safe in the event of a tornado
The Seminole County Office of Emergency Management and National Weather Service-Melbourne partnered to develop 'The Great Tornado' community-wide drill in 2015 during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Since then, the State of Florida adopted this event, and now all 67 counties participate in the drill.
Yes, a man was swept up by a tornado, thrown 1,307 feet and survived. Here are the details
Missouri – Matt Suter was 19 years old when he had an experience that he will never forget. He survived after being swept up inside a tornado. One of the tornadoes swept Matt Suter up and threw him nearly a quarter mile from his grandmother's home in Fordland, Missouri. Suter woke up in a grassy field sometime later after being thrown over a barbed wire fence. AdThe NWS GPS system measured the distance from the mobile home to the field where Suter woke up as 1,307 feet, roughly a quarter-mile.
LIVE RADAR: Tornado Watch expires for Central Florida, isolated strong storms still possible
The Tornado Watch that had been in effect has been allowed to expire for all of Central Florida. SEVERE WEATHER THREAT SUNDAY MORNINGA cold front is moving through Central Florida producing downpours and storms. A few storms could be strong through the late morning, but the severe threat is lowering across Central Florida. An isolated damaging wind gust or brief tornado is still possible southeast of I-4, but the severe weather threat has come to an end along and northwest of I-4. Future radarMost of Central Florida is dry by noon.
Statewide tornado drill to take place in Florida Feb. 3
At approximately 10 a.m. Feb. 3, all National Weather Service offices serving Florida will issue a practice tornado warning. AdThe practice tornado warning will be canceled at 10:30 a.m. If severe weather threatens Florida Wednesday, the test will be moved to Feb. 5. School districts, private schools, pre-schools and daycare centers are urged to participate in Wednesday’s drill by enacting their severe weather plan. As a family, come up with a safe meeting place to go to in the event a tornado warning is issued.
Tornado leaves path of destruction in Alabama, killing 1
One person is dead after a tornado tore through an Alabama city north of Birmingham Monday night, leaving the area with crumpled buildings and downed trees. God protected us last night,” said Williams, who had a cut on his forehead and bruises on his legs but was otherwise OK. At least 30 people were injured as the tornado carved a 10-mile (16-kilometer) path through Birmingham's northern suburbs, an area severely damaged by a much larger tornado a decade ago. Sobbing, Patti Herring was shaken and as she picked through the debris looking for a missing cat and her late mother's cherished belongings. “The people of Fultondale took a hard hit last night — I’m grieved over the loss of life, injuries, homes & damaged businesses," Alabama Gov.
DeLand tornado victims can receive free trees through city giveaway
She lost several trees including one that crashed through her house on East Washington Avenue, leaving behind a huge hole. With help from the City of DeLand which is known as Tree City USA, Courville will be able to pick up free trees at the Leigh Matusick Airport Management Center starting next Monday. “Our residents went through a pretty stressful event with the tornado in August and we’ve been trying to think of ways that we can help them out,” said DeLand city spokesman Chris Graham. Graham said they purchased the 500 trees for their annual tree giveaway but cancelled the event due to the pandemic. He said while the city can’t help the residents financially, he hopes the trees will ease the burden.
Cleanup efforts continue 1 month after DeLand tornado
DeLAND, Fla. – Piles of debris remain outside of some damaged and destroyed homes on Thursday still waiting to be hauled away one month after an EF-2 tornado ripped through 4.6 miles of the city. Many residents, like Karen Conkle Parkin, said they’re also still waiting on home repairs to begin. It's been about a month since the EF-2 tornado hit DeLand. It's a hurry up and wait game for some residents who say they're still waiting on repairs. We’re not charging any late or delinquent fees on any utilities in that area as well.”[MORE: Video: EF-2 tornado causes ‘significant damage’ in DeLand | DeLand tornado caused $7.4 million in damages]Conkle Parkin said rebuilding has been a slow process that she hopes will pick up soon.
Unlicensed contractors targeting DeLand tornado victims, sheriff warns
DeLAND, Fla. – Debris from Tuesday’s EF-2 tornado hadn’t even settled yet, when Alvin Azama and his neighbors said people swarmed Kensington Avenue, soliciting their services. The Ef-2 tornado whipped through DeLand on Aug. 18 causing $7.4 million in damages to homes and businesses but, thankfully, no one was injured. Lonnie Clifton lives across the street from Azama and said he turned down anyone who knocked on his door. Sheriff Mike Chitwood along with local builders rallied together on Friday and urged residents to research before hiring anyone off the street. Chitwood said he wants to protect residents and make sure they aren’t the target of unlicensed contractors.
Here’s how the National Weather Service assesses tornadoes
Within these severe weather events, tornadoes could form and cause significant damage. If a tornado is suspected either by the damage or eyewitness reports, a specialized team from the local National Weather Service office is deployed to investigate the area. When the crew arrives at the suspected tornado damage, they will conduct a full ground survey that could span several miles. The survey team is equipped with a few things that help them map out the tornado’s life cycle. This includes a GPS unit, a cellphone, a laptop with damage survey software, a digital camera, a map and a notebook.
National Weather Services confirms an EF-2 tornado in Deland
ORLANDO, Fla. National Weather Service survey teams have confirmed the damage in DeLand Tuesday was that of an EF-2 tornado. Winds were estimated to be between 105-115 mph and the 550-yard- wide twister caused damages along a 4.6 mile path of DeLand. Tornado intensity scaleThe National Weather Service in Melbourne issued a tornado warning for central Volusia county at 3:52 p.m. Tuesday. Strong couplet (red close to green) where more significant damage is being reported on Plymouth Ave. and Woodland Blvd. Hope everyone is ok. pic.twitter.com/dsKzFOqEhb Jonathan Kegges (@JonathanKegges) August 18, 2020The National Weather Service is completing their damage assessment and will release all of the details of Tuesdays tornado when complete.
These historic hurricanes spawned tornadoes, leaving devastation in their paths
Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Homestead Florida on Aug. 24, 1992 as a monster Category 5 storm. 1992: Hurricane Andrew makes landfall just south of Miami as a Category 5 hurricane. Hurricane Katrina from 2005 courtesy NOAAThese historical hurricanes have a combined destruction total of just over $150 billion in damages. Hurricane Andrew had 28 tornadoes in its outer-bands while Katrina had a whopping 57 tornadoes that impacted eight different states. (NOAA)Damage in Lakes by the Bay from Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Heres how to help families who lost everything to Orange County tornado
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Families are left to rebuild after an EF-1 tornado ripped through central Orange County Saturday. Yet families still need help. Unfortunately, they do not have insurance and will need help for the repairs. Thank you so much for anything you have to spare during these already lean times!To donate to Elaina Weavers campaign, click here. Support for David after Tornado Hits Home, organized by Jeremy RiChardeOn the evening of June 6, a tornado hit my fathers home.
Tornadoes caused nearly $1 million in damages, according to Orange County property appraiser
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Tornadic activity in Orange County has caused nearly $1 million in damages, according to the county’s appraiser office. The severe weather on Saturday impacted multiple locations in the central area of Orange County. Damage assessment teams were deployed Sunday to inspect affected properties and structures, according to the Orange County Property Appraiser’s office. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Melbourne also surveyed damages in Orange County Sunday, determining an EF-1 tornado touched down in the area. The NWS said the EF-1 twister intensified by this area, doing the most substantial damage in this part of Orange County.
UPDATES: Severe weather still wreaking havoc on area
Tornado warning for Volusia CountyA tornado warning has been issued for parts Volusia County until 9 p.m. Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for central Volusia county until 9:15 p.m. A severe storm near Lake Helen is moving fast to the northeast at 30 mph. Lake County was under a tornado warning until 4:15 p.m. Lake Eustis Funnel Cloud (Valerie Davis)3:42 p.m. UpdateA Tornado Warning was issued for Marion and Lake County and is in effect until 4:15 p.m. 3:15 p.m. UpdateA Tornado Warning was issued for Lake County and is in effect until 3:45 p.m.
National Weather Service confirms EF-1 Tornado in Orange County
Fla.- Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Melbourne were in Orange County Sunday morning surveying the damage after Saturdays tornadoes. It was determined an EF-1 touched down Saturday near Ferncreek and Lake Margaret. The tornado began as a waterspout on Lake Conway and lifted near Lake Lawsona. Majority of the tornado damage was EF-0 to trees with several falling on homes according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Scott SpratMore information is expected from the National Weather Service.
We lost everything in two seconds: Tornado topples trees, destroys homes in Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Residents came out in the daylight to survey the damage after the National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado tore through the Conway area Saturday evening. "We're a young couple trying to make it and we lost everything in two seconds," Jose Pico said. RELATED: National Weather Service confirms EF-1 Tornado in Orange County | Videos and photos show storm damage across Central FloridaJose Pico said on Saturday around 7:30 p.m. they heard what sounded like explosions and saw their patio roof lifting. The confirmed EF1 tornado tore through the apartment complex. She said the tornado sounded like a train.
Would you know what to do during a tornado? We have tips
As mid-May arrives, tornado season begins to reach its peak, proving to be a big threat, and nearly every state in the United States can experience a tornado. Having said that, do you know the safest things you can do for you and your family should a tornado strike near your home? Because of that, it’s smart to consider what room may be safest for you, in the event of a tornado. Mobile homes are simply not designed to withstand a tornado or strong winds in severe storms. [WATCH: When you see a tornado while driving, here’s what to do]The time to find shelter is when you are under a tornado warning, so while all of this is helpful information, the best thing you can do is know the signs before a tornado hits.
EF-1 tornado touched down in Volusia during weekend storms, NWS confirms
DeLAND, Fla. – After assessing damage left behind by storms that swept through the area, the National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Volusia County over the weekend. According to the NWS Melbourne, an EF-1 tornado, with estimated peak winds of 90-100 mph, touched down at 11:25 a.m. Saturday in DeLand. An EF-0 tornado also touched down in Lake County during the weekend storms, according to the NWS. The NWS reports the tornado happened in Okahumpka at 10:30 a.m. bringing peak winds of 75 mph along a 2.31-mile path. Damages were reported from Leesburg to DeLand on Saturday after severe weather left behind destruction across Central Florida.
Cleanup efforts underway after Saturday’s severe storms in Central Florida
DeLand, Fla. – Residents and crews are cleaning up around their homes after Saturday's severe weather left behind destruction across Central Florida. This comes a day after the National Weather Service received reports of storm damage in Leesburg and DeLand due to strong storms that moved through Central Florida. The NWS is expected to go out to Leesburg and DeLand on Monday to determine if a tornado caused the damage. READ NEXT: Severe storms leave trail of damage in Central Florida | Here’s why you should pay attention to all severe weather warningsHe said they currently don't have any electricity or water in the building. City officials report $20,000 worth of damage was done to their facilities, including the little league complex and a water plant.
Severe storms leave trail of damage in Central Florida
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The National Weather Service received reports of storm damage in Leesburg and DeLand after strong storms moved through Central Florida. Witnesses told the NWS that they saw a tornado touch down and cause damage in DeLand, but the NWS hasn’t confirmed. The City of DeLand shared pictures to their Twitter account showing the damage that was caused by the severe storms. VFW 2380 roof damage“Crews are still assessing damage, but there are multiple spots that sustained damage in DeLand. Deputies observed several homes that had sustained roof damage, damage to siding, or damaged carports and they saw numerous trees down throughout the community,” officials said.
After stormy start to the weekend, Orlando-area weather conditions calm down
ORLANDO, Fla. – After a very stormy start to the day complete with a tornado, everything has settled down and will remain that way -- at least, for a few days, meteorologist Samara Cokinos said Saturday. High pressure will continue to strengthen, which keeps the atmosphere stable and moisture to a minimum. This, in addition to a cool west to northwest breeze, will send temperatures into the upper 40s over the northern counties, Cokinos said. Fog will be possible over northern zones, including NW Volusia and portions of Lake, Sumter, Marion, and Flagler counties. By Monday, we’re back in the low 80s with rain chances picking up Tuesday with the next approaching cold front.
Nearly 20-mile path of EF-1 tornado in Flagler wasn’t longest track Central Florida has seen
The EF-1 tornado that ripped through Flagler County brought reports of significant damage to the area, but it isn’t the first time the county has seen those conditions. On this same date six years ago -- Dec. 14, 2013 -- seven homes were destroyed and more than 150 others were damaged by an EF-1 tornado that struck the Indian Trails neighborhood of Palm Coast. A EF1 tornado hits Palm Coast on Dec. 14, 2019. Still though, it isn’t the only long-track tornado Central Florida has seen in recent years. The worst of the damage from the 2007 outbreak was seen in Lady Lake, the Lake Mack area and New Smyrna Beach.
PHOTOS, VIDEOS: EF-1 tornado rips through Flagler County
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Downed power lines, trees and fences are just some of the damage that can be seen across Flagler County after a tornado ripped through the area. National Weather Service officials said an EF-1 tornado with winds of 110 mph hit Flagler County early Saturday. Flagler County has requested the assistance of the American Red Cross to meet the needs of the household,” county officials said. Damage left behind in area of Seminole Woods in Palm Coast after EF-1 tornado rips through nearly 20 miles of Flagler County. (Image: Tracy Casas-Jones)Damage left behind in area of Seminole Woods in Palm Coast after EF-1 tornado rips through nearly 20 miles of Flagler County.