ORLANDO, Fla — A strong line of storms moved through Central Florida on Saturday, leaving several buildings damaged in Marion County.
Much of the heaviest damage is in the Ocala area, where high winds sent trees crashing down at an apartment complex and damaged some local businesses.
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A big cleanup job is now underway as residents start to pick up the pieces.
Marion County said tarps are available for resident impacted by the storm and can be picked up at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Multipurpose Room at 3300 Northwest 10th Street in Ocala.
Tarps are now available to those affected by the severe weather today! The tarps can be picked up from the MCSO Multipurpose Room located at 3300 NW 10th Street, Ocala, FL 34475.
— Marion Co. Sheriff-FL (@MCSOFlorida) March 12, 2022
10:00 a.m. update:
A severe line of thunderstorms is now moving into Orlando. It has already produced damage and possibly a tornado in Ocala. Channel 9 has also seen reports of trees down in Flagler County. There is a report of a possible tornado in Putnam County.
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9:30 a.m. update:
A possible tornado touched down in the Ocala area. Severe thunderstorm warning remain in place across Central Florida.
Ocala, Florida damage — possible tornado!
— Brian Shields, WFTV (@BrianWFTV) March 12, 2022
📷Lorrie pic.twitter.com/pf7ZnbXe4r
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8:30 a.m. update:
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado watch has been extended to include Osceola and Brevard counties. Currently, all of Central Florida is under a tornado watch.
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Weather Alert Day
— Kassandra Crimi (@KCrimiWFTV) March 12, 2022
A line of severe thunderstorms are moving across Central FL this morning.
Damaging wind gusts are our biggest concerns, but keeping a lookout for isolated tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/3d9sNygXne
8:00 a.m. update:
According to the National Weather Service, a line of storms hitting northern Florida are strengthening and moving into Lake and Volusia counties.
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TORNADO WATCH: Tornado threat increasing for Central Florida for the next 5 hours. Wind damage possible, even if there isn't a tornado. Please stay alert! We are tracking these on Channel 9 all morning! pic.twitter.com/KcvVVoGrzK
— Brian Shields, WFTV (@BrianWFTV) March 12, 2022
7:00 a.m. update:
Potential Timeline for today’s storms moving through Central Florida.
- 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sumter, Marion, and Flagler counties
- 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Lake, Volusia, Seminole, and Orange counties
- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Osceola, and Brevard counties
The storms are expected to weaken as they move into Osceola and Brevard counties later this morning.
Behind the front, Central Florida will see temperatures begin to drop and a cold start to Daylight Saving Time, Sunday morning.
Showers and downpours making their way into Marion County.
— Kassandra Crimi (@KCrimiWFTV) March 12, 2022
Now - 2PM, we'll be on the lookout for strong to severe storms.#WeatherAlertDay pic.twitter.com/zkOayUSeUX
Original report:
WFTV has issued a Weather Alert Day for Saturday as a strong line of storms will be moving through much of Central Florida.
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch including Orange, Seminole, Lake, Sumter, Marion, Volusia, and Flagler counties until 11 a.m.
Meteorologist Kassandra Crimi expects a strong line of thunderstorms to move across the area.
READ: Weekend forecast brings threat of severe winds, isolated tornado
Our biggest threat will be damaging winds and thunderstorm gusts as high as 60mph, isolated tornadoes also a possibility.
Tornado Watch Issued for most of Central FL
— Kassandra Crimi (@KCrimiWFTV) March 12, 2022
Now - 11AM
Strong Line of Storms still over 50 miles away from Marion County.
Tune in all morning long on @WFTV. I'll be tracking the latest. pic.twitter.com/tC1pClcgfz
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