Weather Alert Day: Tornado, severe thunderstorms warnings expire

ORLANDO, Fla. — Today is a Weather Alert Day in Central Florida. Read live updates below:

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8:30 p.m. update

Severe storms threats have expired and the heaviest parts of the storm have passed though our area. Scattered rain remains in some areas of Central Florida.

6:35 p.m. update

A tornado warning that had been issued for Brevard County has since expired.

Watch live coverage on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warns that alligators and snakes can be observed more frequently after major storms and flooding.

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

6:08 p.m. update

A tornado warning has been issued for Orange, Seminole, Brevard and Volusia counties through 6:45 p.m.

Take shelter and click here to watch live coverage on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

Orlando International Airport said that due to high winds in the area, all of its gate links and terminal Links are being held at their stations.

Passengers are urged to check directly with their airline for any changes to their flight.

5:50 p.m. update

A tornado warning has been issued for Orange County through 6:15 p.m.

Residents are advised to take shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of their home.

Live coverage continues on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

5:30 p.m. update

Storms in Flagler County have moved out of the area, allowing a tornado warning for that area to expire.

But most of Central Florida remains under a tornado watch until 9 p.m.

Chief meteorologist Tom Terry said those living in Central Florida’s coastal areas can expect to see intensifying weather conditions around 8 p.m.

Live coverage continues on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

SEE: Tornadoes, storms cause destruction in Florida Panhandle

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Winter Weather Florida This photo provided by Bay County Sheriff's Office shows storm damage around around Panama City Beach, Fla., in Bay County, early Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. A sprawling storm has hit the South with strong thunderstorms and tornado warnings that blew roofs off homes and tossed about furniture in the Florida Panhandle and brought cities across the Midwest to a standstill with more than half of foot of snow. (Bay County Sheriff's Office via AP) (Bay County)

5:15 p.m. update

A tornado warning remains in effect for Flagler County until 5:30 p.m.

A tornado warning in Volusia County has since expired.

5 p.m. update

Tornado warnings have been issued has been issued for Volusia and Flagler counties.

The warning in Volusia County is in effect until 5:15 p.m., and the warning in Flagler County is in effect until 5:30 p.m.

A line of thunderstorms are moving through Central Florida, bringing gusty winds and lightning.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News as chief meteorologist Tom Terry and certified meteorologist George Waldenberger track the storms live.

4:30 p.m. update

A tornado warning issued for Marion County has since expired, but much of Central Florida remains under a tornado watch.

Departures to Orlando International are grounded due to thunderstorms.

4 p.m. update

A tornado warning issued for Marion County has been extended until 4:30 p.m.

The warning affects the Fort McCoy area.

Residents are advised to stay indoors away from windows.

Watch live coverage of powerful storms moving into our area now on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

3:20 p.m. update

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Marion County.

The warning is in effect until 4 p.m.

There is also a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for the area until 4 p.m.

3 p.m. update

Storm-related injuries were reported in Florida, but no deaths. A section of Panama City Beach showed parts of roofs blown away, furniture, fences and debris strewn about and a house that appeared tilted on side, leaning on another home.

In Panama City, about 10 miles away, police early Tuesday asked residents to stay indoors and off the roads “unless absolutely necessary” as officers checked on damage from the storms, including downed power lines and trees.

The city is in Bay County, where there had been multiple reports of tornadoes on the ground, Sheriff Tommy Ford said in a brief Facebook Live post.

“We’ve rescued people out of structures,” he said.

The department urged people to stay home, posting photos of a damaged apartment complex and marina. The Walton County sheriff’s department in the Florida Panhandle posted photos of power lines draped across a road, damage to a gas station and large pieces of building materials littering the area. About 70 miles northeast, in Jackson County, Florida, photos showing damage to a campground and RV park in Marianna were posted.

Photos: Storms batter Florida Panhandle

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who gave his State of the State address Tuesday as tornado warnings were active outside the Capitol, issued an executive order to include 49 counties in Florida under a state of emergency from tornadoes.

“Every government building except this one is closed in Tallahassee because of the weather,” DeSantis said at the start of the speech. “We just do what we do in Florida: We respond when these things happen … We’ll handle whatever fallout is from these dangerous tornadoes.”

We’re getting a better look at the destruction left by tornadoes and other powerful storms in the Florida Panhandle. Click here to see photos of the damage.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News and download our news and weather apps for updates throughout the afternoon.

The Associated Press contributed to this update.

1:45 p.m. update

Osceola County and the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud said they are closing their offices at 3p.m. Tuesday because of approaching severe weather.

The governments of Orange and Seminole counties will also close at 3 p.m. Tuesday, and the city of Winter Springs said it will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday because of the weather.

Read: Schools impacted by threat of severe weather in Central Florida; keep tabs on your district

Click here to read about other closures.

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Florida storms Storms left a path of destruction across the Florida Panhandle. (Bay County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

1:30 p.m. update

A tornado watch has been issued for all of Central Florida.

The watch is in effect through 6 p.m. for Marion and Flagler counties.

It is in effect for 9 p.m. for Lake, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties.

As of 1:30 p.m., showers were popping up over western Marion County ahead of a line of thunderstorms.

Certified meteorologist George Waldenberger said the main line of severe thunderstorms are still west of Central Florida but are moving closer to the region.

Read: Tornado slams Florida Panhandle, leaves path of destruction

Weather Alert Day: Tornado watch issued for much of Central Florida A tornado watch has been issued for Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, Brevard and Lake counties until 9 p.m. (Kirstin Delgado, WFTV.com/WFTV)

Earlier story:

Meteorologist Brian Shields said it will be very windy Tuesday with strong to severe storms this afternoon and evening.

Shields said the storms will arrive roughly around 2 p.m. in our western zones.

READ: Schools impacted by threat of severe weather in Central Florida; keep tabs on your district

Storms will then work across Interstate-4, likely between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., before heading toward our coast.

Wind damage and isolated tornados are risks today.

PREVIOUS: Weather Alert Day: Severe thunderstorms, damaging winds & tornado warnings possible Tuesday

Regardless of possible damage, Shields said to expect windy conditions, heavy rain and possibly hail.

Behind this front, cooler weather will arrive.

High temperatures will be in the 60s on Wednesday.

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates:

• Chief meteorologist Tom Terry
• Kassandra Crimi
• George Waldenberger
• Brian Shields

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