Tornado warning issued for parts of Sarasota, Manatee through noon

Staff Report
·2 min read
A tornado warning has been posted for Sarasota County until 11:30 a.m. Doppler radar indicated a possible waterspout just offshore over south Sarasota moving slowly eastward.
A tornado warning has been posted for Sarasota County until 11:30 a.m. Doppler radar indicated a possible waterspout just offshore over south Sarasota moving slowly eastward.

According to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, parts of Sarasota County have been placed under a tornado warning. The tornado warning was declared when radar indicated a waterspout was located offshore, combine with thunderstorms capable of producing tornado activity. Residents are advised to "act now and take shelter immediately."

Here are the details from the National Weather Service:

Tornado Warning for Northwestern Sarasota County and Manatee County until 12 p.m.

  • Until noon EDT.

  • At 1129 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing atornado was located over Lake Sarasota, or near Sarasota, movingeast at 25 mph.HAZARD…Tornado.SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught withoutshelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Treedamage is likely.

  • This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas ofsouthern Manatee and northwestern Sarasota Counties, including thefollowing locations… Gator Creek Estate, Bee Ridge, Hidden Riverand Fruitville.TORNADO…RADAR INDICATEDMAX HAIL SIZE…<.75 in=""></.75>

What does a tornado warning mean?

According to the National Weather Service, a tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property.

Tornado watch, tornado warning: What's the difference and what should you do?

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota tornado warning issued for parts of county through noon