Hurricane Milton causes tornado outbreak in Florida
Multiple confirmed tornadoes struck parts of Florida as Hurricane Milton neared the state on Wednesday.
The storm triggered a significant tornado outbreak across the region as it approached landfall. Since Monday, the U.S. National Weather Service has issued over 110 tornado warnings as Hurricane Milton’s outer bands swept across the Florida Peninsula.
By 6:00 p.m. EDT Wednesday, the U.S. Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had reported at least ten suspected or confirmed tornadoes. These reports included structural damage, overturned vehicles, and downed trees in areas hit by tornado-warned storms.
Storm chasers also shared images of large, destructive tornadoes impacting several communities during the warnings.
One confirmed tornado struck near Clewiston, located on the southwestern shores of Lake Okeechobee.
A tornado watch remains in effect for much of the Florida Peninsula through Wednesday evening, covering areas such as Key West, Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, Melbourne, and Daytona Beach.
A tornado watch indicates that conditions are favorable for tornado development. A tornado warning means that a tornado is imminent or occurring, either identified by radar or confirmed by visual sightings.
Tropical tornadoes can form quickly, leaving little time for warnings. Residents should monitor changing weather conditions and be prepared to take immediate shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
