13 Oct 2023 | 08:23 AM UTC
US: Authorities responding to tornado damage in parts of central Florida as of early Oct. 13
Emergency response ongoing following tornado damage in parts of Florida, US, as of Oct. 13. Ligering disruptions likely in affected areas.
Event
Response operations are ongoing in parts of central Florida as of early Oct. 13 after several rounds of severe storms with embedded tornadoes moved across the region early Oct. 12. Storm damage, likely caused by tornadoes, has occurred along parts of both the west and east coast; affected areas include parts of Citrus, Flagler, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. In Pinellas County, a likely tornado caused damage to two homes in Clearwater Beach and downed power lines and damage to buildings were reported just to the north in Dunedin. In Citrus County, several homes and businesses were damaged by a potential tornado in Crystal River. Schools in the county were closed Oct. 12 and a number of roads, including sections of Highways 19 and 44 were closed. Most routes have since reopened; however, officials are warning motorists to drive with caution as there may still be debris on the roads. On the Atlantic coast, damage to homes has also been reported in Palm Coast in Flagler County. There have been no confirmed reports of any casualties in any of the affected areas as of early Oct. 13. Response operations are ongoing; disruptions to ground travel and business operations will likely persist for at least several days.
Advice
Monitor local media for updated emergency and weather information. Be prepared to quickly move to a safe location if new warnings are issued. Postpone driving until weather conditions improve. Charge battery-powered devices in case prolonged electricity outages occur. Strictly heed the instructions of local authorities.
