NWS confirms tornadoes hit Palm Coast, Crystal River & Clearwater
Thursday was a Weather Alert Day in Central Florida. Review our live blog of all the updates from Thursday’s tornado in Palm Coast and severe thunderstorms across Florida.
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3:45 p.m. update
The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday afternoon that an EF1 tornado moved through Clearwater and an EF2 tornado moved through Crystal River on Thursday morning.
You can read more about the damage those tornadoes caused by clicking here.
Read: NWS confirms EF2 tornado moved through Palm Coast damaging homes, cars
Earlier Thursday, the agency said that an EF2 tornado also moved through Palm Coast on Thursday morning.
Click here to read more about that tornado.
See photos of the damage from all three tornadoes below, and watch special live team coverage on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 4.
2:15 p.m. update
The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF2 tornado moved through Palm Coast early Thursday morning. You can read more about the damage it caused here.
Read: NWS confirms EF2 tornado moved through Palm Coast damaging homes, cars
1:30 p.m. update
Marion County Public Schools said that all after-school activities and athletics have been canceled Thursday due to inclement weather, including gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms.
Marion Afterschool Programs remain open.
Read: Potential tornado damages homes, flips cars in Palm Coast
10 a.m. update
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said residents in need of assistance following Thursday morning’s severe weather can go to
Parkview Church in Palm Coast.
See the location below:
Flagler County staff will be on hand until at least 12 p.m. Thursday.
Sheriff Rick Staly also held a news conference Thursday to give an update on the potential tornado or tornados that caused damaged to areas of Palm Coast.
Watch Staly speak below:
8:30 a.m. update
NWS has extended the Tornado Warning until 8:45 a.m. in Marion County.
8:18 a.m. update
The Tornado Warning remains in effect in Marion County but has expired for Flagler County.
8:10 a.m. update
Tornado Warnings are in effect until 8:30 a.m. for both Marion and Flagler counties.
NWS is pinpointing these areas:
Southwestern Marion County
Northeastern Flagler County
8 a.m. update
The Tornado Warning for Flagler County has been extended until 8:30 a.m.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office continues to receive damage reports from Palm Coast, primarily in the B-section.
Channel 9 is in Palm Coast and will continue to provide live updates on air and at WFTV.com
FCSO and emergency response partners are active in the area of the B-section of Palm Coast following a reported tornado.
No injuries have been reported at this time, however, there is some significant damage in the area.
Please use caution in the area. pic.twitter.com/P5eZ1eMXfM— Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (@FlaglerSheriff) October 12, 2023
7:38 a.m. update
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for Flagler County until 8 a.m.
Tornado Warning including Bunnell FL, Crescent City FL and Espanola FL until 8:00 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/MvM32HlPiC
— NWS Jacksonville (@NWSJacksonville) October 12, 2023
7:30 a.m. update
More photos of damage are coming into the Channel 9 newsroom.
Flagler, Citrus and Pinellas counties have reported storm damage, possibly related to tornados.
See the latest photo gallery below:
7 a.m. update
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said emergency responders are active in the area of the B-section of Palm Coast following a reported tornado.
Officials said that NO injuries have been reported at this time.
There is significant damage in the area, according to FCSO.
Channel 9 has a news crew in Palm Coast to gather the latest images and information.
This is damage we captured near Pine Lakes Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway.
Monitor WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for live updates.
6:50 a.m. update
NWS has issued a Tornado Warning until 7:15 a.m. for:
West Central Flagler County
Southeastern Putnam County
6:45 a.m. update
Spruce Creek High School will not hold classes today because of a power outage.
Volusia County Schools said that all other schools and bus schedules are operating normally.
Good Morning VCS Family:
We are monitoring the weather and will update you immediately if there are any changes. @GreatDay2BAHawk will not have classes today due to a power outage.
No other school start times or buses have been affected at this time.
Please stay safe. pic.twitter.com/5avKBvOngv— Volusia County Schools (@volusiaschools) October 12, 2023
6:33 a.m. update
Here are some initial images of storm damage from across parts of Central Florida:
6:27 a.m. update
The Citrus County School District has announced that all school is canceled Thursday due to storm damage.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
The west side of Citrus County has experienced significant damage from an unconfirmed tornado(s) which hit the area overnight.
ALL SCHOOL IS CANCELED for today, Thursday, October 12th.
Monitor our website and social media channels for further info. pic.twitter.com/8txuPFLztg— CitrusSchools (@CitrusSchools) October 12, 2023
6:15 a.m. update
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that a tornado touched down and caused damage in Crystal River.
ROAD CLOSURES ALONG BOTH HWY 19 AND 44 - CRYSTAL RIVER - TORNADO TOUCHDOWN https://t.co/mcR3Gxc9Cg pic.twitter.com/F9p1WnkedM
— Sheriff Citrus (@SheriffCitrus) October 12, 2023
Officials say there are road closures along US-19 and State Road 44.
6:05 a.m. update
NWS has issued a Tornado Warning for Marion County until 6:30 a.m.
5:45 a.m. update
The Tornado Warning for northern Volusia County has expired, according to the National Weather Service.
NWS said a Tornado Warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. for northcentral Citrus and southeastern Levy counties.
Meteorologists Brian Shields and Kassandra Crimi are in Severe Weather Center 9, continuing to follow storms that are still moving across the Channel 9 viewing area.
Watch live coverage NOW on Eyewitness News This Morning.
5:10 a.m. update
FPL is reporting 1,875 power outages to customers in Volusia County.
5 a.m. update
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for:
Northern Volusia County until 5:45 AM EDT
LIVE severe weather coverage continues RIGHT NOW on Channel 9.
4:30 a.m. update
The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a Tornado Warning until 5 a.m. for the following areas:
Central Lake County in east central Florida
Northwestern Volusia County in east central Florida
4:08 a.m. update
Just after 4 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning in Lake County near the Lake Griffin area until 4:30 a.m.
This includes the cities of Leesburg, Eustis and Tavares.
Tornado Warning including Leesburg FL, Eustis FL and Tavares FL until 4:30 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/UkWww6EiFx
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) October 12, 2023
4 a.m. update
Several tornado warnings expired in Central Florida early this morning, but the threat of potential severe weather remains for much of the northern part of our viewing area, including Marion, Flagler and Volusia Counties.
⚠️ Several tornado warnings for north-central FL early this morning, including Marion County
🌪️ Areas near & south of the lifting warm front are in the more favored tornado threat area (area in red circle) through 6 am#jaxwx #flwx pic.twitter.com/jgCyQk3WtF— NWS Jacksonville (@NWSJacksonville) October 12, 2023
Channel 9′s meteorologists are tracking powerful thunderstorms in Central Florida that could spawn tornadoes.
Sumter County is under a tornado warning until 3:45 a.m.
A tornado warning in Marion County has since been lifted.
Strong thunderstorms are currently moving through Marion and Sumter counties.
Read: Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning? What you need to know
Chief meteorologist Tom Terry said area residents should move to a closet or bathroom on the lowest level of their home.
Watch Terry and certified meteorologist Brian Shields live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News by clicking here.
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