After a night of severe weather, which included multiple tornado warnings, Central Florida is expected to see strong storms again Wednesday.WESH 2 meteorologists have declared Wednesday to be another First Warning Weather Day.Strong storms are expected to return to the area by late morning, with a greater risk of large hail this time around.The risk for large hail and damaging winds will be present from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Seminole and Lake until 7:30 p.m. and Orange and Volusia until 6:45 p.m. Brevard and Osceola counties were under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:45 p.m. and Polk County until 2:45 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties until 8 p.m. Shortly after those counties were put under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Flagler and Marion counties were added.Hail as big as golf balls fell in New Smyrna Beach Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Hail close to 3″ fell near Wekiva Springs. Reports of minor damages are now coming in.Stay with WESH 2 for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarHurricanesSevere Weather AlertsMap RoomTuesday overnightTuesday night, multiple areas were placed under a tornado warning. Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties were the first to be hit with tornado warnings, which expired early on, around 7 p.m. A tornado warning in Lake County expired at 8:30 p.m. A funnel cloud was spotted around the same time in the Clermont area by several WESH viewers.Tornado warnings for Osceola, Orange, Brevard and Marion were also issued, all expiring around 12:30 a.m. Weekend stormsThis latest round of severe weather comes after a weekend of heavy rain and winds, with one confirmed tornado hitting Ocala.The National Weather Service says the tornado was a high-end EF1, with 86 to 110-mph winds.They say its width was estimated at 200 yards traveling about 25 miles from Dunnellon to Ocala. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Marion County so residents can receive assistance in rebuilding.As of Monday, March 14, estimated property loss in Marion County was more than $15.6 million, which includes real estate loss, debris removal and personal property loss. This number is still expected to increase as damage assessment continues throughout the affected areas.Tornado safety tipsThere are about 1,000 tornadoes a year in the U.S. that kill an average of 80 people and injure 1,500. Being informed and prepared before a tornado hits can make the difference between life and death.1. Stay informed; understand the terminologyDownload the WESH 2 News app to be aware of alerts, listen to NOAA Weather radio, or watch WESH 2 when there is impending severe weather.A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned into weather coverage.A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.2. Prepare your family in advance of severe weather.Put together a disaster supplies kit made up of basic items that your household may need in the event of an emergency.You may need to survive on your own after a storm strikes. This means having your own water, food, and other essentials in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours.Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.FEMA supply checklistBasic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supply kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.3. Have an emergency communication plan in placeHave an emergency communication plan in place that all members of your family understand. Many families experience unneeded stress when tornadoes strike because they do not have a plan in place to be warned, stay safe and find one another after the storm has passed.4. Know about tornadoes, and what to watch forOccasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little if any advance warning is possible. Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.Look for the following danger signs:Dark, often greenish skyLarge hailA large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if it appears to rotate)A loud roar, similar to the sound of a freight trainA tornado may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May.Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.5. Know where to go to stay safeIf you are in a residence, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.Do not open windows.If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.Possible actions (that do not guarantee safety) include:Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.In all situations:Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
After a night of severe weather, which included multiple tornado warnings, Central Florida is expected to see strong storms again Wednesday.
WESH 2 meteorologists have declared Wednesday to be another First Warning Weather Day.
Strong storms are expected to return to the area by late morning, with a greater risk of large hail this time around.
The risk for large hail and damaging winds will be present from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Seminole and Lake until 7:30 p.m. and Orange and Volusia until 6:45 p.m. Brevard and Osceola counties were under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:45 p.m. and Polk County until 2:45 p.m.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties until 8 p.m. Shortly after those counties were put under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Flagler and Marion counties were added.
Hail as big as golf balls fell in New Smyrna Beach Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Hail close to 3″ fell near Wekiva Springs. Reports of minor damages are now coming in.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Stay with WESH 2 for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.
Tuesday overnight
Tuesday night, multiple areas were placed under a tornado warning.
Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties were the first to be hit with tornado warnings, which expired early on, around 7 p.m.
A tornado warning in Lake County expired at 8:30 p.m. A funnel cloud was spotted around the same time in the Clermont area by several WESH viewers.
Tornado warnings for Osceola, Orange, Brevard and Marion were also issued, all expiring around 12:30 a.m.
Weekend storms
This latest round of severe weather comes after a weekend of heavy rain and winds, with one confirmed tornado hitting Ocala.
The National Weather Service says the tornado was a high-end EF1, with 86 to 110-mph winds.
They say its width was estimated at 200 yards traveling about 25 miles from Dunnellon to Ocala.
Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Marion County so residents can receive assistance in rebuilding.
As of Monday, March 14, estimated property loss in Marion County was more than $15.6 million, which includes real estate loss, debris removal and personal property loss. This number is still expected to increase as damage assessment continues throughout the affected areas.
Tornado safety tips
There are about 1,000 tornadoes a year in the U.S. that kill an average of 80 people and injure 1,500. Being informed and prepared before a tornado hits can make the difference between life and death.
1. Stay informed; understand the terminology
Download the WESH 2 News app to be aware of alerts, listen to NOAA Weather radio, or watch WESH 2 when there is impending severe weather.
A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned into weather coverage.
A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.
2. Prepare your family in advance of severe weather.
Put together a disaster supplies kit made up of basic items that your household may need in the event of an emergency.
You may need to survive on your own after a storm strikes. This means having your own water, food, and other essentials in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours.
Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.
Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supply kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.
3. Have an emergency communication plan in place
Have an emergency communication plan in place that all members of your family understand. Many families experience unneeded stress when tornadoes strike because they do not have a plan in place to be warned, stay safe and find one another after the storm has passed.
4. Know about tornadoes, and what to watch for
Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little if any advance warning is possible. Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
Look for the following danger signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if it appears to rotate)
- A loud roar, similar to the sound of a freight train
- A tornado may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May.
Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.
5. Know where to go to stay safe
If you are in a residence, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:
- Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.
- In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.
- Do not open windows.
If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:
- Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.
Possible actions (that do not guarantee safety) include:
- Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
- Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.
- Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.
In all situations:
- Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
- Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
- Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
