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.
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.
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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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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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.
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.
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