Florida Tornado Watch: Millions at Risk as Intense Thunderstorms, Multiple Tornadoes Wreak Havoc in Florida

Tornadoes have been reported in different parts of Florida as of Thursday, October 12. Millions of people are at risk amid intense thunderstorms in the region. Due to the tornado threat, US weather authorities have issued a "Florida Tornado Watch" which means there is a risk of a few tornadoes and severe gusty winds across the state. Although there have been no reported casualties so far, the Florida tornado has caused widespread damage.

Florida Tornado Watch

(Photo : Photo by Raychel Sanner on Unsplash)

The Florida tornado watch is in effect in northern and central Florida until 3 p.m. EDT (local time) on Thursday. Yet, local sources indicate that at least three tornadoes had already struck the Sunshine State, causing damage in both coastal areas, including in the B-section of Palm Coast.

Reports describe the swirling vortex of air as "possible tornadoes" that damaged homes and cars in Florida as of Thursday morning, as well as downed trees and power lines and turned over a vehicle.

As millions of people are under the tornado watch, wind gusts reaching 30 to 40 miles per hour amid severe thunderstorms in the region to be possible from Thursday morning to afternoon in northern Florida. This comes as a storm system is moving across the area. Due to the ongoing severe storm, further tornado outbreaks are possible, as well as heavy rain, strong winds, and hail.

The National Weather Service (NWS) explains during a Tornado Watch, that tornadoes are possible in each area, and it also advises the public to remain alert for approaching storms. Meanwhile, a Tornado Warning pertains to the detection of a tornado, requiring the affected local populace to move to a pre-designated place of safety.

Also Read: Recent Storm System Represents Future Multiple-Day Tornado Activity

Tornado Risk Alert Over Northern and Central Florida

The NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC), at 7:50 a.m. CDT (local time) on Thursday, stated that there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of northern and central Florida, as well as in the central Great Plains region. Prior to the reports of about the destructive Florida tornadoes, the SPC predicted that one or two tornadoes are possible on Thursday, in addition to large hail and damaging winds.

The prediction center provides the following hotspot areas in Florida and the approximate population affected by the tornado risk:

Jacksonville, Florida
Tampa, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Furthermore, the US weather agency estimated that the tornado risk affects a total area of 100,000 square miles, affecting around 12 million people. Although a tornado alert is in place, tornadoes may occur with little or without warning, according to experts.

The SPC explains that the severe thunderstorms and tornado outbreak in Florida is caused by a slow-moving warm front above the northern, central parts of the state. In the coming hours, tornadoes and other weather hazards, as mentioned earlier, may continue until the early evening of Thursday, according to the weather agency.