Weather

Central Florida tornadoes: NWS employees survey damage amid COVID-19

ORLANDO, Fla. — Severe weather does not stop for a pandemic and neither does the National Weather Service officials from surveying the damage after dangerous weather happens.

Monday’s severe weather outbreak sparked several severe storm warnings and tornado warnings. After the damage was assessed the National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes. One was surveyed by the Jacksonville Weather Forecast Office in Marion County. They quickly analyzed pictures sent by viewers on Monday, trying to limit their interactions outdoors, but more pictures of the damage came through last night. Officials decided it was necessary to go out in person today to Marion County and determined that the tornado had strengthened as it crossed flat interstate 75. Basically, without friction the tornado was able to intensify, sort of like it happens with hurricanes. Officials determined that the tornado had peak winds at 110 mph, making it an EF-1.

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Out of the Melbourne NWS office, officials looked around for damage in Seminole County. In this instance, the radar showed rotation and there were several videos confirming the tornado, luckily there was no damage found. National Weather Service personnel determined that the tornado has touched down in Lake Jessup briefly touching down. No damage or injuries were reported. Peak winds estimated between 60 and 65 mph.

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There was another rotation spotted on the radar in Volusia County, but after officials surveyed the area, they determined that the damage, mainly to trees, was caused by straight-line winds.

The National Weather Service took the necessary protection while going out on the field to survey the damage. Most of the assessment was done from their vehicles, keeping a distance from residents in the area.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.