We are hearing that at least four tornadoes touched down in the Panhandle around Panama City, Florida today (January 9th, 2024), and in neighboring areas. We have drone footage that AccuWeather posted on their TikTok and the aftermath from these Panama City Tornadoes is devastating.
In Southwest Florida we know all to well how Mother Nature can strike and devastate a community in an instant. In Florida we are used to hurricanes, but tornadoes are not as common. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian rocked Fort Myers Beach and surrounding areas.
Today's weather caused damage to homes, marinas, businesses and infrastructure. However, according to a report out of Jacksonville, there have been no recorded deaths at this time. In the video below you'll see a home knocked off of it's foundation, other homes wiped away and the shear destruction left behind in a matter of minutes.
The weather is making it's way south and Southwest Florida is under a tornado watch. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch 6 until 9pm tonight for the following counties.
- Hardee
- Polk
- Sumter
- Levy
- Desoto
- Highlands
- Charlotte
- Lee
- Citrus
- Hernando
- Hillsborough
- Manatee
- Pinellas
- Sarasota
Schools here in Lee County canceled all after school activities today due to the predicted weather. Stay safe and aware of the latest weather updates as they are always changing. Keep safe inside this evening.
