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Eyewitness News Uses Internet Technology To Broadcast Storm Damage

Posted: 6:04 am EDT September 21, 2007Updated: 7:31 am EDT September 21, 2007

Some of the best pictures of the severe weather and the damage left behind from the tornado that pummeled parts of Eustis come from a new piece of technology at Eyewitness News. Our mobile cam swung into action Thursday night, capturing images from the hardest hit areas.


VIDEO: Internet Used To Broadcast Storm Damage

The tornado plowed through downtown Eustis at 10:54 Thursday night and the Channel 9 mobile cam arrived just minutes later.

The damage was everywhere, including a stop sign flattened by the twister. Part of a wooden deck was tossed into the middle of the road. And a historic brick building that had been home to shops and cafes was reduced to debris that lines the street.

The tornado chased away the customers from a deserted corner restaurant. The wind blew the front door off an upstairs office.

The display window was missing from a furniture store. The shattered glass covered the sidewalk.

Shop owners surveyed the damage while police patrolled the area to make sure the vulnerable businesses did not fall prey to looters. Just a few blocks away on Lake Avenue, the mobile cam found more damage to a residential neighborhood.

The tornado ripped sheet metal from a nearby home and wrapped it around a tree stump like a piece of tissue paper.

The mobile cam is a dash mounted camera inside a Channel 9 storm tracking news unit. The wireless internet connection can instantly send live video, even during times of severe weather when it's not safe to operate other cameras and live units.

The mobile cam broadcast live pictures from Eustis Thursday night, even while the weather system was still producing heavy lightning in the area.

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