Area takes minor hit from storms

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Area takes minor hit from storms

County News

Friday, 01 April 2011 13:37

By Brian McBride
Associate Editor
Severe weather pounded Central Florida this week, spawning tornado warnings in Osceola County and uprooting trees and knocking out power in the area.
The heavy thunderstorms that dumped rain, whipped up winds and caused frequent lightning were caused by a cold front coming in off the Gulf of Mexico and began causing a disturbance Wednesday afternoon. A second wave lasted most of Thursday.
The storms Wednesday left 831 Kissimmee residents without power as outages were scattered throughout the Kissimmee area, Kissimmee Utility Association spokesman Chris Gent said.
Most of the outages occurred Wednesday during the height of the storm at 5:04 p.m., but all power was restored by 9:10 p.m.
In St. Cloud, St. Cloud Fire Rescue fire station 33, 3369 Cord Ave., was battered by the rough weather, damaging the aluminum canopy trim, which was left hanging from the roof. Also reported in the city were damaged screen porches, trees knocked over onto homes and downed power lines.
“We have seen a bit of everything in the last 24 hours – rain, high winds, lightning, and tornado watches,” Fire Chief Bill Johnston said Thursday in a press release. “Our personnel train constantly for these types of situations and are always ready to assist within our community. However, we always recommend planning as a resident’s best defense against dangerous weather. It’s what you do before a storm that can make a difference in keeping everyone safe.”
A tree was knocked over during the storms Wednesday in Campbell City, blocking the front door of a residence, Osceola County Emergency Management spokeswoman Niki Whisler said. And power lines were knocked down in Narcoossee.
In Kissimmee, a couple of power lines were down and limbs were torn off trees, Kissimmee Fire Department Deputy Chief Jeremy Donovan said.
The weather didn’t appear to help motorists on the roads as the Florida Highway Patrol saw its fair share of crashes Wednesday.
“We worked about 60 in the Central Florida area,” Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said.
On Thursday, Osceola County was placed under a tornado warning. At about 12:28 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologists detected a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 10 miles south of Poinciana, but Whisler said there was no report of any damage.
In neighboring Polk County, severe weather, including four confirmed tornado sightings, that swept through the area from the east resulted in damages and power outages throughout the county.
According Polk County Public Safety officials, the roof of a large tent collapsed at Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland with 70 people inside. Six people from the tent were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment, county officials said.
According to a weather service forecast, today and Sunday are expected to sunny, with temperatures in the mid-80s.