Florida tornadoes: 3 twisters reported on panhandle as severe storm sweeps through state
At least three tornadoes have been reported Tuesday morning on the Florida panhandle, according to the National Weather Service.
Several counties in the state have closed schools and the NWS has been issuing regular watches and warnings overnight and Tuesday morning as a result of the severe storms.
The storms have rocked nearby areas, tilting homes on their sides and flattening RVs.
The storms are associated with a powerful low and associated cold front which is bringing potentially damaging winds, coastal flooding, the chance of tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. The impacts began Monday night and are expected to peak Tuesday morning in the Panhandle and continue through Tuesday evening in the peninsula, according to WeatherTiger chief meteorologist Ryan Truchelut.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday activated the Florida State Guard "in response to potential severe weather anticipated across the state," according to a news release from the governor's office.
See the damage: Videos, photos posted across social media after reported tornadoes in Florida
Tornado causes damage in Grand Lagoon near Panama City
The NWS said there were several observed tornadoes in the Panhandle Tuesday morning. One near De Funiak Springs and another near Panama City, and another that crossed Interstate 10 near Marianna.
Pure chaos in Lower Grand Lagoon as a destructive tornado just ripped through #flwx pic.twitter.com/34OIlG2zRH
— Jay Lesyk (@JayLesykWX) January 9, 2024
Confirmation, along with strength and intensity will be determined by the NWS, but residents have been posting videos and pictures on social media of the damage left behind.
The NWS also issued several tornado warnings in the area with quarter-sized hail possible, according to the NWS Tornado X feed.
Fountain Florida #tornado damage from moments ago!
Captured by @JordanHallWX #flwx pic.twitter.com/JxrONnBIPs— MyRadar Weather (@MyRadarWX) January 9, 2024
Florida and greater Southeast radar
Severe weather in Florida closes schools
The Florida Department of Education announced Monday school districts in the following counties will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9, due to the storms:
Alachua County
Bay County
Bradford County
Calhoun County
Citrus County: Schools to have half day on Tuesday, Jan. 9
Columbia County
Dixie County
FAMU Lab School
FSU Labo School (Florida High)
Franklin County
Gadsden County
Gilchrist County
Glades County
Gulf County
Hamilton County
Hernando County: Early release Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Holmes County
Jackson County
Jefferson County
Lafayette County
Lake County: Early release Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Levy County
Liberty County
Madison County
Marion County
Pasco County
St. Johns County: Schools to release one hour early on Tuesday, Jan. 9
Taylor County
Union County
Wakulla County
Washington County
Colleges/Universities:
Chipola College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
College of Central Florida will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Florida A & M University will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Florida State University will reopen at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Gulf Coast State College: All campuses will delay opening for employees and students until 11 a.m. CST, Tuesday, Jan. 9.
North Florida College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Northwest Florida State College will reopen at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Pasco-Hernando State College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Pensacola State College will reopen at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Tallahassee Community College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9.
University of West Florida will reopen at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Power, electric outages across Florida
Weather alerts issued in Florida
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida tornadoes: See the radar, closures, damage, weather warnings