1/25/11 DISC: FL

[Jason Harris]

Congrats to Chris Collura for the intercept of the Sebring supercell. As of yet, surveys haven't concluded any tornado damage in East Central FL:
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Wind damage was reported in multiple counties across East Central Florida. A NWS Storm Survey team has surveyed damage in the Mascotte-Groveland and Ferndale areas on Wednesday and has identified the damage due to thunderstorm winds.

Here's the NWS page that will have updates:
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http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/?n=012511

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

I think the possible tornado and main area of rotation was confined to very isolated / rural areas of Highlands county (fortunately). I am grateful I at least got to see anything!

The storm passed completely across the state, and offshore near Palm Bay after 8:30 PM EST ... Amazing supercell!

 

[Jason Harris]

Very well done there Chris. Looks like a variety of tornado reports have been added throughout the state, but notice a lot have no damage, though looks like maybe Lee county will verify:

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http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/yesterday.html


Some sad stories on Brighthouse 13 about people with straight-line wind damage.
And here's a video from Orlando Sentinel of Groveland damage (non-tornadic):

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-storm-clean-up-orlando-20110126,0,5126803.story

Notice it includes an interview with the NWS met Scott Spratt who works in Melbourne. Also, I'm surprised to see in the comments section someone complains about a survey distinguishing straight-line winds vs. tornadic winds:

DavidDowntown at 9:52 AM January 26, 2011

I wish someone would tell me why it matters if it was a tornado or not. There was a storm, there was some damage. Why do these experts need to waste their time and our tax dollars?

full press conference here:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/weather/012611-clean-up-from-the-storm
(about 11 minutes for video)

Funnel twitter pic from "NE Sumter County" (Scott shared this in an email):
http://twitpic.com/3ted28

Lake County summary damage:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/tbw/TopNews/PDF/January25survey.pdf

quote:

Winds in this location were estimated to be between 80 and 90 mph.