A powerful storm swept through Central Florida on a Monday morning, leading to a tornado hitting an Orlando television station. The Fox 35 station’s weather camera captured the intense moment, with meteorologist Brooks Garner urgently warning his co-workers to take shelter under their desks. Garner had been providing updates on tornado warnings for Volusia and Seminole counties when weather conditions rapidly worsened, causing chaos both inside the studio and outdoors.
Debris was seen flying across Interstate 4 just north of Orlando, into the neighborhoods of Lake Mary and Sanford, Florida. The situation was confirmed to be a real, live tornado hitting the station, leading to a brief but intense period of panic and chaos. However, despite the damage caused, staff members continued to work and assess the situation both within their studio and in the surrounding areas that were affected by the storm.
The storm caused damage to a collapsed home in Longwood on Blue Iris block, with another home being damaged as well. Thankfully, residents inside the home that collapsed were reported to be safe and uninjured. The Fire Department shared photos of firefighters working to clear debris and remove toppled trees that were blocking roadways. They worked alongside the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management to assess the extent of the damage in the area.
The National Weather Service, which had been issuing tornado warnings throughout the morning, confirmed that a tornado had carved a path about 1.8 miles long through the Longwood area of Seminole County. Preliminary estimates suggested that the tornado may have reached EF-2 status, with winds of up to 115 mph, as it crossed Interstate 4 in Lake Mary where the Fox station is located. Garner continued to warn viewers to take cover and seek shelter as the storm moved through the area.
In the midst of the chaos, Garner shared his experience of being hit by a tornado while on air, emphasizing the importance of taking immediate action to stay safe during such dangerous weather events. The urgency of the situation was evident as Garner urged viewers to get to the ground level, find an interior room away from windows, and take necessary precautions to protect themselves. Despite the intensity of the storm and the damage caused, the community came together to support each other and work towards recovery.
The storm and tornado that hit the Orlando television station were a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature. It served as a wake-up call for residents in the area to take weather warnings seriously and be prepared to take quick action to ensure their safety during severe weather events. The courage and quick thinking displayed by the meteorologist and station staff in the face of danger was commendable and highlighted the importance of being vigilant and proactive in the face of natural disasters.
