Credit: Screengab via PaulFox13

Credit: Screengab via PaulFox13

As the entire Tampa Bay region is currently under a severe thunderstorm warning until late this afternoon, it would appear tornados are also in the mix. 

Paul Delagato, WTVT’s chief meteorologist tweeted a video this morning showing what he called a “potential tornado” crossing I-75 in Citrus County. 

Of course, calling this giant dark, funnel-shaped vortex a “potential tornado” and not the Strong Arm of Satan, is just showing some much needed precautionary restraint, since sightings like this usually need to be confirmed. The video was originally shot by Seth Raper. 

Not long after, WFTV meteorologist George Waldenberger tweeted what appears to be damage from the same storm in the Ocala area. 

But this wasn't the only "potential tornado" spotted in Florida this morning. Rusty McCrainie of WFTV also tweeted a photo of what appears to be a massive tornado near Lake Jessup, which is just north of Orlando. The National Weather Service confirmed that the storm in Seminole County was in fact a tornado, and in an afternoon statement said the Citrus County storm was an EF-0 tornado with an estimated peak winds of 80 mph. 


Other people in the area seemed to confirmed the tornado sighting, as well. 


Currently areas like Oviedo, Winter Springs, and Casselberry are under a tornado warning until 12 p.m.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the Tampa Bay area is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 3 p.m. According to the NWS, the greatest threats will be high winds of up to 60 miles per hour, and penny-sized hail. 

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This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2020.

Colin Wolf has been working with weekly newspapers since 2007 and has been the Digital Editor for Creative Loafing Tampa since 2019. He is also the Director of Digital Content Strategy for CL's parent...