3/31/11 DISC: FL

[rdale]

Impressive line of rotation cells - a hangar collapse occurred with people inside at the Sun n Fun air show:

http://www.emergencystream.com/video_archive/03/31a.html

http://yfrog.com/gy37amtj

 

[rdale]

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/31/apparent-tornado-hits-near-tampa/

In Lakeland, Sgt. Terri Smith said earlier reports that 70 people were trapped after a building collapsed at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport are false.

[Mods - somehow I popped this in the wrong side, please move?]

 

[Mike Deep]

Conflicting reports on hangar collapse ATTM. Appears there was not one at Lakeland-Linder (LAL): http://nycaviation.com/2011/03/torn...-florida-flipping-planes-and-damaging-hangar/
http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/184523/250/Heavy-damage-injuries-reported-at-Sun-n-Fun
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/03/31/florida.weather/

LAL is currently hosting the Sun n Fun Fly-In, which draws thousands of aviators and spectators from around the country. The potential for damage is very high, as there are literally hundreds of small aircraft parked out in open fields during this event. Judging from the photos coming in now it appears many of those aircraft have been tossed around.

Local media reports at least 40 planes damaged at LAL: http://www.theledger.com/article/20...40-Planes-Some-Buildings-Damaged-at-Sun-n-Fun

Last post from Sun n Fun on Facebook:

We're still sorting things out, but here's what we do know. 1. No major injuries reported, 2. Crews are now starting on clean-up, 3. We are planning to be open for business in the morning. Still no power or Internet, so bear with us as we get these updates out as we can.

I was planning on heading out there tomorrow, when F-22A and Blue Angels demos are set to begin.

 

[Mike Deep]

Reports have been going back and forth all day, but Sun n Fun now confirms:

There is no one trapped in any SNF building and no major injuries. We have several collapsed exhibitor tents, but permanent buildings are still standing.

EDIT: Blue Angels report they did not leave NAS Pensacola today and will try for Lakeland tomorrow.

Other damage reports in the area:
Radio tower destroyed in Pinellas: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/radio-tower-damage-033111
Gas station damaged in Tampa: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/ne...h-of-damage-at-interbay-and-bayshore-03312011
Overturned tractor trailer on the Howard Frankland: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/ne...nds-on-two-cars-during-high-winds-from-storms

Lots of flooding, uprooted trees and structural damage around the area based on user-submitted photos:
http://www.wtsp.com/slideshows/2011/gallery.aspx?slideshowname=March-2011-Storms
http://contests.abcactionnews.com/engine/Details.aspx?PageType=APPROVED&contestid=26404
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/subindex/weather/weatherpix

St. Pete Times has a good gallery of damage: http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2011/photo_galleries/march_storm/

Some dubious funnel cloud photos also seem to be making the rounds.