EF2 tornado hits FOX 35 Orlando TV station, damages nearby homes | FOX 35 Orlando
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EF2 tornado hits FOX 35 Orlando TV station, damages nearby homes

By and
Updated  March 10, 2025 11:24pm EDT
Severe Weather
FOX 35 Orlando

EF2 tornado leaves path of destruction in Seminole County

Severe storms swept through Central Florida on Monday, bringing widespread impacts. A radar-confirmed tornado tore through Lake Mary and Longwood in Seminole County earlier in the morning. The EF2 tornado left a path of destruction over a roughly four-mile path.

The Brief

    • An EF2 tornado touched down early Monday morning in Lake Mary, Florida.
    • It crossed FOX 35 Orlando's TV station and damaged homes in nearby Longwood and Lake Mary, officials and the National Weather Service said.
    • The tornado is estimated to have been 300 yards wide – at its largest, NWS said.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Severe thunderstorms prompted several severe tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings throughout Central Florida earlier Monday morning, including at least one confirmed tornado in Lake Mary.

The confirmed EF2 tornado touched down in Seminole County and crossed over the FOX 35 Orlando Studios in Lake Mary, as our teams were actively broadcasting, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Melbourne. Click here to view current weather alerts.

Surveying tornado damage at FOX 35 studios

An EF2 tornado touched down in Lake Mary, Florida, on Monday morning, with peak winds of 155 mph, comparable to those of a Category 2 or 3 hurricane.

NWS officials will be conducting a storm survey over the next several hours to determine the track, length, and intensity of the tornado that impacted Longwood and the Lake Mary area. 

FOX 35 Orlando is no longer updating this live blog as the severe weather threat has passed. FOX 35 is continuing to survey the damage and talk to residents impacted by the storm, forecasters, and emergency officials. Download the FOX Local app on your cell phone and visit FOX35Orlando.com for the latest stories and videos.

Suspected tornado likely caught on FOX 35 cameras

Here are views from the FOX 35 Orlando TV station in Lake Mary, Florida, as a suspected tornado moved through.

Video: Tornado hits FOX 35 TV Studios in Lake Mary

An EF2 tornado touched down in Lake Mary, Florida, on Monday morning with peak winds of 155 mph, comparable to a Category 2 or 3 hurricane. FOX 35 was on the air when the tornado likely was found on our cameras. FOX 35 Meteorologist Brooks Garner led Orlando views -- and the station -- through the storm. Here are four views of the storm from FOX 35 cameras.

  • 1:55 p.m. | The National Weather Service in Melbourne just held a press conference and provided several updates on the confirmed tornado:It touched down as an EF1 and intensified to an EF2It had peak winds of 115 mph, which is comparable to a Cat. 2 or 3 hurricaneIt was on the ground for at least 5 minutes, traveled at least 1.8 miles
  • It touched down as an EF1 and intensified to an EF2
  • It had peak winds of 115 mph, which is comparable to a Cat. 2 or 3 hurricane
  • It was on the ground for at least 5 minutes, traveled at least 1.8 miles

Press conference: NWS rates Lake Mary tornado EF2

The National Weather Service held a press conference following the tornado that made landfall in Lake Mary. The NWS ranked the tornado as an EF2 with 115 mph winds.

  • 12 p.m. | Seminole County Emergency Management held a news conference, urging residents to stay off the roads and reminding people of the dangers of downed power lines.

"Don't drive over power lines. We are asking people in these neighborhoods if they could stay at home for a while. Don't go out and drive around. It's not safe to do so right now," officials said. 

Seminole County officials update on tornado damage

Seminole County Emergency Management officials give update on storm damage after a tornado touched down Monday morning in Lake Mary, Florida.

  • 11:28 a.m. | A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for portions of south central Orange County and north Osceola counties until 11:45 a.m.

Semi-truck flipped over during severe weather

A semi-truck driver and his dog are OK after his rig flipped over during severe thunderstorms early Monday morning, according to Seminole County Fire Rescue.

  • 10:45 a.m. | Alan Harris, spokesperson for Seminole County Emergency Management, confirmed multiple reports of damage, including a collapsed home and overturned cars after a tornado ripped through the region. Trees have fallen across roads, and power lines are down. As of Monday morning, no injuries had been reported.

Florida tornado: Seminole County press conference | FULL

Officials with Seminole County discuss damage reports after a tornado touched down early Monday morning in Lake Mary, Florida.

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The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 tornado hit parts of Seminole County, March 10, 2025.

  • 9:30 a.m. | A tornado crossed over Lake Mary in Seminole County, including the FOX 35 Studios.

Suspected tornado hits FOX 35 while on air

A suspected tornado passed over Seminole County, including the WOFL FOX 35 TV Studios, on Monday morning, as a series of strong thunderstorms crossed over the area.

Power Outages

As of 10:30 a.m., the storms had left hundreds without power across the region. Check the status of outages in your area by clicking the link associated with your power provider below: 

'A little terrifying': Man talks tornado warning, damage

A trampoline was bent and mangled after a tornado touched down in Seminole County, Florida. FOX 35's Amanda McKenzie talks with a resident about what happened in the moments before, during, and after the tornado warning.

FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar

Track live when storms move across your area using the FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar below.


 

More

Original story below:

Monday has been declared a FOX 35 Weather Impact Day for Central Florida, with the potential for heavy rain and gusty winds as a cold front moves into the region. 

Even though Central Florida has seen calm and dry conditions early this Monday morning, it's still a good idea to grab the rain gear as you make your way out the door. 

Timeline:

The best chances of rain will take place closer to the late morning and midday hours. This is where heavy rain and gusty winds will be possible, with slim chance of an isolated strong to severe storm possible. 

The low chance of a brief tornado or two also exists as these storms roll through, mainly for Brevard and Osceola counties.  These showers and storms will race through Central Florida quickly, with the majority of the rain wrapping up by the early to mid-afternoon hours.

 These showers and storms will race through Central Florida quickly, with the majority of the rain wrapping up by the early to mid-afternoon hours.

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Wind Advisory

A Wind Advisory is in place until 7 p.m. for winds gusting up to 40 mph or higher. These peak gusts may take place even outside of any showers or storms. It's a good idea to secure any outdoor furniture or loose items.

What will the weather be like tonight?

What to expect:

Breezy winds continue overnight. We'll remain dry as well, as temperatures will turn cooler dipping down into the upper 40s and low 50s for most as you're waking up Tuesday morning.

What will the weather be like for the rest of the week?

The rest of this week features plenty of dry time and sunshine as high pressure builds into the region. We'll see highs in the 80s as early as Wednesday, and the mid 80s by Friday. For the weekend, temperatures will be arguably hot, with highs nearing the upper 80s.

More radar maps from FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar

Stay connected with FOX 35

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the FOX 35 Storm Team on March 10, 2025. 

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