Winter storms, tornadoes threaten northern Florida and neighboring states
Harsh storms and a threat of tornadoes greeted the south Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee warned storms sweeping through northern Florida and the eastern side of the state’s panhandle could produce twisters. A tornado watch issued Wednesday morning is in effect until 2 p.m.
Winds reaching up to 70 m.p.h. and isolated hail were in the Sunshine State’s forecast north of Gainesville Wednesday. Meteorologist Jim Cantore reported a tornado sighting in Blountstown, Fla., shortly before 9 a.m.
The National Weather Service earlier issued tornado warnings for several Florida counties.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were also in effect through parts of Alabama and Georgia in the early afternoon.
Tornadoes may be to blame for storm damage in Montgomery, Ala., according to that city’s emergency management agency. Mayor Steven L. Reed tweeted early Wednesday he was “grateful not to have confirmed any fatalities associated with this morning’s tornado outbreak.”
National Weather Service survey teams assessed damage caused following 16 reports of tornadoes in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee since Monday, according to AccuWeather.
Jonesboro, La. resident Kelley Moffett told the outlet strong winds ripped away a section of her home’s roof while her son and daughter took shelter in the family’s bathtub.
“It was horrible,” Moffett said Tuesday. “We’ve been here, like I said, 26 years, and I’ve never been through anything like this.”
The damaged roof allowed water to enter the home causing 6 inches of flooding, Moffett’s husband estimated. The Moffett’s credited a weather app for warning them of the impending danger headed their way.
Tornado warnings were issued in South Carolina’s Midlands Wednesday morning, though according to Columbia, S.C. station WLTX, it couldn’t be confirmed whether damage caused in the central part of the state was caused by a tornado. A warning there was set to expire at 2 p.m. Georgetown and Williamsburg counties are under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. Sunny skies were expected to return Thursday.
Tornado damage hasn’t been limited to the south since the start of the new year. Decatur, Ill. station WAND reported Tuesday “multiple tornadoes” caused damage throughout the central part of the state, downing power lines, damaging what appears to be a grain bin and striking a Decatur bowling alley.
