On Tuesday, Central Florida was under a considerable threat for strong to severe storms.The timing of the worst of the weather ran from late afternoon into the evening.The Storm Prediction Center (which issues watches and severe outlooks) elevated part of our area to a level 3-5 risk for numerous strong to severe storms.Due to this threat, Tuesday was declared a First Warning Weather Day. The severe weather system left a trail of destruction in the Florida Panhandle early Tuesday. Expired Alerts Tornado WatchLake and Osceola counties remained under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. The tornado watches for Orange, Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, Marion and Sumter counties were canceled. Flagler County’s tornado watch expired at 6 p.m. Expired Tornado WarningsA tornado warning for Marion County was allowed to expire at 4:30 p.m. Flagler County had a tornado warning that expired at 5:30 p.m. Tornado warnings issued for Brevard, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties expired at 6:45 p.m.>>Download the WESH 2 mobile app<< Related: Pictures show severe storm damage in Florida PanhandleRelated: Central Florida schools issue closures, disruptions due to weather threat Related: Live tracker: Radar shows severe weather moving into Central FloridaImpacts and TimingAs far as impacts, damaging wind was among the highest concerns. On Tuesday, there was also the risk of tornadoes. The strong line of storms moved into the northeastern parts of Central Florida in the afternoon and started to wind down and begin moving off the eastern coast by Tuesday night. County-by-County breakdownHere is a county-by-county breakdown of what you can expect in your area. Elevated RiskA 3-5 risk is not common and there have only been a handful of instances of this in Central Florida in the past couple of years. Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.RadarSevere Weather AlertsDownload the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts.Tornado safety tips 1. Stay informed; understand the terminologyDownload the WESH 2 News app to be aware of alerts, listen to NOAA Weather radio, or watch WESH 2 when there is impending severe weather.A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned into weather coverage.A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.2. Prepare your family in advance of severe weather.Put together a disaster supplies kit made up of basic items that your household may need in the event of an emergency.You may need to survive on your own after a storm strikes. This means having your own water, food, and other essentials in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours.Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.FEMA supply checklistBasic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supply kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.3. Have an emergency communication plan in placeHave an emergency communication plan in place that all members of your family understand. Many families experience unneeded stress when tornadoes strike because they do not have a plan in place to be warned, stay safe and find one another after the storm has passed.4. Know about tornadoes, and what to watch forOccasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little if any advance warning is possible. Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.Look for the following danger signs:Dark, often greenish skyLarge hailA large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if it appears to rotate)A loud roar, similar to the sound of a freight trainA tornado may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May.Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.5. Know where to go to stay safeIf you are in a residence, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.Do not open windows.If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.Possible actions (that do not guarantee safety) include:Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.In all situations:Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.RELATED: Duke Energy Florida prepares for severe weather, power outages on Tuesday
On Tuesday, Central Florida was under a considerable threat for strong to severe storms.
The timing of the worst of the weather ran from late afternoon into the evening.
The Storm Prediction Center (which issues watches and severe outlooks) elevated part of our area to a level 3-5 risk for numerous strong to severe storms.
Due to this threat, Tuesday was declared a First Warning Weather Day. The severe weather system left a trail of destruction in the Florida Panhandle early Tuesday.
Expired Alerts
Lake and Osceola counties remained under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. The tornado watches for Orange, Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, Marion and Sumter counties were canceled. Flagler County’s tornado watch expired at 6 p.m.
A tornado warning for Marion County was allowed to expire at 4:30 p.m. Flagler County had a tornado warning that expired at 5:30 p.m.
Tornado warnings issued for Brevard, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties expired at 6:45 p.m.
>>Download the WESH 2 mobile app<<
Related: Pictures show severe storm damage in Florida Panhandle
Related: Central Florida schools issue closures, disruptions due to weather threat
Related: Live tracker: Radar shows severe weather moving into Central Florida
Impacts and Timing
As far as impacts, damaging wind was among the highest concerns. On Tuesday, there was also the risk of tornadoes.
The strong line of storms moved into the northeastern parts of Central Florida in the afternoon and started to wind down and begin moving off the eastern coast by Tuesday night.
County-by-County breakdown
Here is a county-by-county breakdown of what you can expect in your area.
Elevated Risk
A 3-5 risk is not common and there have only been a handful of instances of this in Central Florida in the past couple of years.
Stay with WESH 2 online and on-air for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast.
Download the WESH 2 News app to get the most up-to-date weather alerts.
Tornado safety tips
1. Stay informed; understand the terminology
Download the WESH 2 News app to be aware of alerts, listen to NOAA Weather radio, or watch WESH 2 when there is impending severe weather.
A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned into weather coverage.
A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.
2. Prepare your family in advance of severe weather.
Put together a disaster supplies kit made up of basic items that your household may need in the event of an emergency.
You may need to survive on your own after a storm strikes. This means having your own water, food, and other essentials in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours.
Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.
FEMA supply checklist
Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supply kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.
3. Have an emergency communication plan in place
Have an emergency communication plan in place that all members of your family understand. Many families experience unneeded stress when tornadoes strike because they do not have a plan in place to be warned, stay safe and find one another after the storm has passed.
4. Know about tornadoes, and what to watch for
Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little if any advance warning is possible. Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
Look for the following danger signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if it appears to rotate)
- A loud roar, similar to the sound of a freight train
- A tornado may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May.
Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.
5. Know where to go to stay safe
If you are in a residence, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:
- Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.
- In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.
- Do not open windows.
If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:
- Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.
Possible actions (that do not guarantee safety) include:
- Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
- Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.
- Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.
In all situations:
- Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
- Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
- Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
RELATED: Duke Energy Florida prepares for severe weather, power outages on Tuesday
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