This powerful storm left a trail of destruction in its wake, causing significant damage to cars, homes, and businesses, according to local authorities.
Clearwater Fire and Rescue played a pivotal role in responding to the aftermath of a severe storm system that swept through various parts of Florida early Thursday
In Clearwater, a coastal city on Florida‘s Gulf Coast near Tampa, police reported that two possible tornadoes touched down around 2 a.m. on Thursday, as detailed in a social media post. Remarkably, Clearwater Fire and Rescue confirmed that no injuries resulted from these tornadoes. Jevon Graham, the Clearwater Fire and Rescue division chief for emergency management, expressed relief that there were no casualties but noted that several houses sustained considerable damage.
The storm’s fierce winds uprooted trees and ripped portions of roofs from mobile homes and businesses in Pinellas County before moving northward. The impact was so severe that in Citrus County, public school classes for the day were canceled, particularly on the west side of the county, which had suffered significant damage from an unconfirmed tornado overnight.
The aftermath of the storm led to multiple road closures in Citrus County, with deputies from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office directing traffic to ensure public safety. A major thoroughfare in the rural county, U.S. Highway 19, was temporarily closed due to storm damage. Photographs shared by the sheriff’s office illustrated the extent of the damage, with debris littering the roads, localized flooding, and harm to mobile homes.
The Gulf Coast side of Florida bore the brunt of the storm, the impact extended to Palm Coast, situated about 60 miles south of Jacksonville on the state’s Atlantic Coast
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reported a tornado in this area, with thankfully no reported injuries. Nevertheless, there was significant damage, prompting a call for caution in the affected region.
Later in the day, the National Weather Service officially confirmed the touchdown of a tornado in Palm Coast, describing the destruction it caused, including a damaged home roof, an overturned minivan, and the destruction of screened porches, fences, and sheds.
Tornado watches remained in effect on Thursday morning for parts of central and north Florida, underscoring ongoing concerns about severe weather in the region. Clearwater Fire and Rescue’s role in ensuring public safety and responding to these incidents was of paramount importance throughout this weather crisis.