Two long-track tornadoes strike Tampa Bay, Florida

On October 12, 2023, two long-track tornadoes swept through parts of Tampa Bay, Florida, U.S., significantly affecting Citrus, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. The early morning twisters caused extensive damage, leading to road closures and class cancellations in Citrus County.

The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornadoes made landfall around 02:00 LT, with one leaving a trail in Citrus County and another initiating near Clearwater Beach, extending its path to eastern Hernando County.

In Dunedin, the Harbor Pointe condos by Frenchy’s Market faced significant damage. A portion of its third-floor wall was blown away, leaving a substantial void in the building situated on Causeway Boulevard. Luckily, the specific condo that sustained the damage was uninhabited at the time.

Trucks were toppled and storefronts on Causeway Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard were left with shattered windows. While the twister caused damage to a minimum of two homes on El Dorado Avenue, there were no reports of injuries.

Emergency management pinpointed another tornado at the intersection of US 19 and W Island Ford Trail in Crystal River. Reports mentioned roof damage and downed power lines in the surrounding areas.

Officials have declared closures of multiple roads in Citrus County’s Crystal River area. Highway 44 is shut from the juncture of U.S. Highway 19 to Turkey Oak Drive. Additionally, Highway 19 is closed from West Fort Island Trail to Northeast Fifth Street in Crystal River.

Here’s a look at more tornado damage in Dunedin. These are the Harbor Pointe condos by Frenchy’s Market. Part of the third floor was ripped off. A neighbor tells me no one was home at the time ⁦@BN9⁩ pic.twitter.com/5xTpzNPcRD

— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) October 12, 2023

This is the house that sustained the most damage on #clearwaterbeach. A woman was asleep in the bedroom when the wall and roof came crashing in on her. She was not injured. pic.twitter.com/6el3CsreuF

— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) October 12, 2023

ROAD CLOSURES ALONG BOTH HWY 19 AND 44 – CRYSTAL RIVER – TORNADO TOUCHDOWN https://t.co/mcR3Gxc9Cg pic.twitter.com/F9p1WnkedM

— Sheriff Citrus (@SheriffCitrus) October 12, 2023

We’re on scene along with @clearwaterfire of an apparent #tornado touchdown on north #clearwaterbeach — there is damage to two houses but thankfully no injuries at this time. pic.twitter.com/zsG12DiZ50

— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) October 12, 2023

References:

¹ Tornadoes move across Tampa Bay area overnight; damage in multiple counties – Bay News 9 – October 12, 2023

Featured image credit: Clearwater Police Department

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