One injured, 18 structures damaged as tornado rips through Holmes County, Florida
A possible tornado ripped through northeastern Holmes County, Florida, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, leaving at least one person injured and damaging multiple structures, mobile homes, and vehicles.
Damage caused by potential tornado touchdown in Holmes County Florida on May 11, 2025. Image credit: Holmes County Sheriff's Office
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a tornado touching down near Newberry Road at approximately 11:30 LT. Strong winds tore roofs from buildings, overturned mobile homes and vehicles, and downed numerous trees and power lines, leaving many residents without electricity.
First responders had to clear blocked roads to reach affected homes. At least 18 structures were reported damaged, and nearly all roads in the impact zone were initially rendered impassable by debris.
Drone footage recorded over Esto revealed extensive destruction, with homes flattened, debris scattered across properties, and infrastructure severely affected. The visual evidence supports early damage assessments from emergency responders and local authorities.
Subsequent reports confirmed structural damage extending beyond the initial touchdown area, with Bethlehem and the Flowing Well Road corridor among the hardest hit.
On May 11, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for Holmes County, enabling access to additional resources for cleanup and recovery efforts.
Although roads have since been cleared and are now passable, local authorities continue to urge caution, as debris remains along the roadside.
As of May 12, the National Weather Service has not yet confirmed the tornado. However, the observed damage and eyewitness accounts are consistent with tornadic activity.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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