Video shows tornado touching down in St. John’s County

Tornado Watch issued for much of Central Florida

By Gene Saladna

ORLANDO, Fla. — WFTV’s team of meteorologists is monitoring the possibility for severe weather in the Channel 9 viewing area on Thursday.

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You can follow updates throughout the day here.

3 p.m. Update:

According to St. John’s County Fire Rescue, they are investigating a possible tornado in the WGV area. Officials have set up a media staging area at the Trailmark Subdivision Community Center.

Around 12:40 p.m., firefighters and deputies from St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to find some exterior damage to the area, but reported no major structural damage.

See pictures below:

Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville (St. John's County Fire Rescue)

Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville (St. John's County Fire Rescue)

Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville (St. John's County Fire Rescue)

Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville (St. John's County Fire Rescue)

Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville Tornado reportedly touches down in Jacksonville (St. John's County Fire Rescue)

A viewer name Nate in the Trailmark Division share Ring video with our sister station in Jacksonville, WJAX.

See video from below:

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A viewer name Curt in the World Golf Village area of St. Johns County shared this video with our sister station in Jacksonville, WJAX.

See video from below:

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2:30 p.m. update:

Certified Meteorologist Brian Shields says the showers and storms will be pushing offshore and out of the area over the next few hours.

For Thursday night, expect clear skies and cooler temperatures in the 50s and 60s.

We can look forward to much more pleasant weather behind this storm front with sunny skies Friday and through the rest of the weekend. Expect weekend highs near 80 with lows in the 50s.

Thursday night lows


11 a.m. update:

Rain and storms have started to move into the western zones of the WFTV viewing area, including Sumter and Marion counties.

Storms in the Metro Orlando area should begin to arrive after the lunch hour.

READ: TODAY: Wind advisory issued as heavy rain, lightning & strong gusts approach Central Florida

WFTV Thursday forecast (WFTV staff)

The chance for rain will increase significantly into the afternoon, with a 90% chance of rain by around 3 p.m.

Volusia, Flagler, Lake Sumter, Marion and Polk counties remain under a Tornado Watch until 3 p.m.

READ: Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning? What you need to know

Kassandra Crimi is in Severe Weather Center 9 monitoring the timeline and intensity of these storms.

Be sure to watch her live weather updates on Eyewitness News starting at noon.

8:45 a.m. update:

The primary concern Thursday will be damaging wind gusts, but a tornado can’t be ruled out, meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said.

WFTV Thursday forecast (WFTV staff)

7:40 a.m. update:

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 3 p.m. for the following Central Florida counties:

  • Volusia
  • Flagler
  • Lake
  • Sumter
  • Marion
  • Polk

Tornado Watch for parts of Central Florida (WFTV staff)

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates: