Download the AOL News Toolbar
Our new toolbar integrates latest news into your Web browser and installs in seconds. Download it now!
Send Us Feedback
Click Here
DAYS LEFT
News Video

Find, view and share videos about news and entertainment from around the Web.
See Videos »

News Alerts

The latest updates sent straight to your inbox.

Get AOL News Alerts »

Storms, Including Tornadoes, Hit Florida

CHRISTINE ARMARIO
,
AP
posted: 2 HOURS 55 MINUTES AGO
comments: 46
Text SizeAAA
HOLIDAY, Fla. (April 14) -- A strong line of storms spawned at least two tornadoes Tuesday as it tore across central Florida, scattering roof shingles, uprooting trees and forcing schools to evacuate children from trailer classrooms.
No injuries were immediately reported and the storms eventually moved offshore. It was the latest round of bad weather to hammer the South after heavy rain and strong winds Monday that hit Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky and northern Florida, already reeling from storms and tornados last week.
The National Weather Service was still tallying damage information, but initial reports were that two tornadoes had touched down north of Tampa and two others may have struck in central and east Florida.
Twenty Florida counties were under a tornado watch for much of the day.
"To our knowledge, there's been no true structure damage and no injuries," said Jim Martin, Emergency Management Director for Pasco County north of Tampa, where at least one twister was spotted Tuesday morning,
Martin said about 25 homes suffered damage from high winds and one car was flipped over. Students were evacuated from trailer classrooms at some Tampa-area schools.
Emergency management officials in Marion County in north-central Florida received reports of possible tornado sightings, downed power lines and other damage, including one home under a fallen tree. No injuries were reported, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.
Skip over this content
Randi Cecil, 24, was on her porch in the town of Sparr, about 90 miles north of Orlando, when the wind turned gusty and trees started swaying. Then a tree cracked so loud that it sounded like a car crash and smashed into her neighbor's bedroom.
"It was the most horrible feeling I ever went through," Cecil said.
Progress Energy spokeswoman Suzanne Grant said 35,000 customers were without power as of noon, mostly in the Ocala area in central Florida and in southern Pasco County, just north of Tampa. The Tampa Electric Company said about 770 customers had lost power.
The storms also passed through the Orlando area, knocking down trees and blowing shingles off roofs, but no significant damage was immediately reported. Orlando International Airport reported delays of up to one hour.
A day after high winds were blamed for toppling trees that killed one person each in Tennessee and Georgia, more blustery conditions were reported across the region.
Atlanta-area crews were still clearing up fallen trees and working to restore power and traffic lights after squalls Monday pushed through Georgia. Thousands of utility customers in Georgia and Alabama were waiting for power to come back on.
Skip over this content
Associated Press writers Mike Schneider in Orlando, Mitch Stacy in Tampa and Amanda Thomas in Montgomery, Ala., contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-04-14 10:32:42
GOOD READ?
4 %
26 votes

Related Articles

  1. See More Related Articles and Blog Posts
(46)
Sort by:

1 - 10

FOURDOGSLAUGHING

07:10 PMApr 14 2009

this is nothing new to me!! been through all this before . moved here back in 1998. still love living in Florida !!!

AVG RATING:
(0)

Mdirtygirl2

06:49 PMApr 14 2009

Florida is going to be hit by four CAT 5 Hurricanes this season, and all four will make a direct hit on Miami. That is the word from GOD.

AVG RATING:
(2)

SHERRYBRETZ

06:48 PMApr 14 2009

our rights are being taken away! I am treated like dirt and robbed.Re: Why are they doing this Global conspiracy. They have erased this from every message board I visited today. They have broken into my home and stalk. I have cried to the University, feds and police. Film companies and famous people have stolen my work. I was a student. Is this a global conspiracy? This is happening all across the United States. If you are a dreamer, have an inventive mind and some talent and skill You may be a target. There is a dark group who doesn't want certain people to achieve and gain wealth. They silence us and steal our projects. I am a victim. I cannot use my gift to help strengthen the nation or bring power and light into darkness. This group wants power and wealth to use against mankind. They are destroying my life as well as many others. If you think you might be a victim, speak out. Don't surrender without a fight. gangstalkingworld.com

AVG RATING:
(3)

JosephJehoich

05:00 PMApr 14 2009

Florida is a beautiful state but i wouldn't want to live there due to all the storms.Joseph Jehoich

AVG RATING:
(1)

SHERRYBRETZ

04:47 PMApr 14 2009

http://gangstalkingworld.com/

AVG RATING:
(1)

Paskulo

04:43 PMApr 14 2009

The storms are Bush's fault.

AVG RATING:
(6)

br67r

04:36 PMApr 14 2009

Help keep illegals out of the workplace---Employers can check out employees on line for free. A U.S. Govt.website called (E-VERIFY). YOU CAN FIND OUT IF EMPLOYEES OR APPLICANTS ARE LEGAL AMERICA CITIZENS. Cover you butt check them out and help America send the bums back where they belong by cutting off their employment and giving jobs back to Americans.

AVG RATING:
(3)

Javaman16d

04:03 PMApr 14 2009

What do tornadoes & divorces have in common?They both suck & when they are over; you are left with half your stuff.

AVG RATING:
(4)

br67r

03:57 PMApr 14 2009

AMERICANS CAN HELP DETER ILLEGAL ALIENS FROM TAKING OUR JOBS-----PASS ALONG TO ALL EMPLOYERS....THE U.S. GOVT HAS A FREE WEBSITE EMPLOYERS CAN USE TO FIND OUT IF EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS ARE ILLEGAL ALIENS. THE WEB SITE IS CALLED "E-VERIFY". PLEASE GET THIS WEBSITE OUT TO ALL EMPLOYERS. IT WILL ALSO PROTECT THE EMPLOYERS IF THEY GET RAIDED. " E-VERIFY " !

AVG RATING:
(4)

JPRPFAN58

03:33 PMApr 14 2009

Hey Eddie, eat me. And FYI I actually agree with some of your takes on libs. So lighten up, dude.

AVG RATING:
(11)

1 - 10 of 46

{ JOIN the CONVERSATION }

YOU'LL BE ASKED TO REGISTER OR LOGIN BEFORE POSTING A COMMENT.

News Makers

NewsmakersSinger and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx rips into Miley Cyrus, telling her to make a "sex tape."1 of 8

News Makers

Top Photos

Top News PhotosMuhammed Muheisen, AP

A supporter of Hamas takes part in a pre-election rally for the student council at Birzeit University near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tuesday. Click through the gallery to vote on your favorite photos.

All Good News, All The Time

GNN


* Want the latest Hot Seat polls delivered to your Vista desktop? Hot Seat Vista Gadget »

Sports

Money

Technology

Health

Entertainment

Political Machine

Bright Hall