Severe weather brings damage to parts of metro Orlando
Severe weather brings damage to Orlando area
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning early Thursday evening due to a funnel cloud hovering over Orange County. Straight-line winds caused significant damage across the Orlando metropolitan area, including in Casselberry, where parts of a 7-Eleven gas station were toppled.
ORLANDO, Fla. - The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning early Thursday evening due to a funnel cloud hovering over Orange County.
Straight-line winds caused significant damage across the Orlando metropolitan area, including in Casselberry, where parts of a 7-Eleven gas station were toppled. According to Seminole County fire officials, people inside a car were uninjured when the structure came crashing down on them.
Trees toppled near U.S. Highway 17-92 in Maitland, and large hail was reported in St. Cloud.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) recorded a wind gust of 58 mph, and Winter Park saw the most significant rainfall, with 6.8 inches. Lightning was also prevalent, with over 4,500 strikes recorded, according to FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Noah Bergren.
It remains unclear if weather played a factor in the death of a teenager who was killed when a tree toppled onto a vehicle in which she was a passenger. The tragic incident occurred on Reams Rd., south of Summerlake Blvd., as inclement weather was moving through the area.
Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol reported that the tree fell onto the roof of the southbound vehicle. The right rear passenger, a 14-year-old girl, was transported to Horizon West Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver, a 40-year-old woman, and a 12-year-old boy in the front passenger seat were not injured.
"This case is still a very active investigation," said FHP spokesperson Lieutenant Tara Crescenzi. "Additionally, the medical examiner’s office would need to confirm if the fatality was related to the weather conditions."