Weather
Tornado Hits Lake Mary Area North of Orlando
Orlando, Fla. – Severe storms swept through Central Florida on Monday morning, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and multiple tornado warnings across the Orlando area.
A radar-confirmed tornado touched down along Interstate 4 in Lake Mary at approximately 9:30 a.m., causing structural damage, downed trees, and power outages. Officials report that around 3,500 residents are without power as a result of the storm.
West of Lake Mary, storm-related damage was reported at the Sweetwater Clubhouse tennis courts north of Wekiva Springs Road, where trees were downed.
Further damage assessments are underway in surrounding areas.
Seminole County Fire Rescue confirmed that emergency crews were assisting with storm damage along the 2100 block of Blue Iris Place.
According to meteorologist Noah Bergren, preliminary assessments suggest that the tornado was likely an EF0 or possibly a brief EF1, with estimated touchdown near Lake Mary Boulevard on the city’s west side.
Seminole County Emergency Management spokesperson Alan Harris reported multiple instances of structural damage, including a collapsed home and overturned vehicles.
Additionally, downed trees and power lines have made several roadways impassable.
As of Monday morning, no injuries had been reported. However, authorities continue to urge caution as cleanup efforts begin.
“Do not go outside right now,” Harris advised in a public statement. “Stay in your home or business until conditions improve.”
The tornado formed as a result of an intense storm system moving across Central Florida, which brought heavy downpours, gusty winds, and the potential for additional tornado activity.
Meteorologists anticipate that the storms will move quickly through the region, with rainfall expected to taper off by early to mid-afternoon.
A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
It does not guarantee that a tornado will occur but serves as an alert for residents to remain vigilant.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a severe thunderstorm is classified as one that produces winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail measuring one inch in diameter or larger.
Officials continue to monitor weather conditions and encourage residents to stay informed through local news outlets and emergency alerts.
HART COUNTY, KY – A woman Amy Philpott and her 7-year-old child, Charlotte Philpott, tragically lost their lives after their vehicle was swept away by flash flooding in the Bonnieville community of Hart County on Saturday night, authorities confirmed.
According to Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts, emergency responders from Campbellsville and Hart County were dispatched to Campground Road near Bacon Creek following reports of a water rescue.
Despite their best efforts, rising floodwaters and hazardous nighttime conditions forced crews to halt rescue operations before they could safely retrieve the victims and their vehicle.
Rescue teams recovered the child’s body from the submerged vehicle late Saturday night, but efforts to locate the mother had to be suspended until conditions improved.
On Sunday morning, search teams resumed recovery efforts and successfully retrieved the mother’s body later in the day.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Louisville reported that the tragic incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, when the victims’ vehicle was overtaken by rapidly rising floodwaters.
The devastating floods have wreaked havoc across Kentucky, triggering over 1,000 rescues as emergency teams race to assist those stranded by rising waters.
At least eight fatalities have been confirmed so far, with officials warning that the death toll may rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue.
“This is one of the most serious weather events we’ve dealt with in at least a decade,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated on Sunday.
Victims have been reported in Hart, Pike, and Clay counties, with many fatalities involving vehicles caught in floodwaters. Gov. Beshear urged residents to avoid driving in flooded areas to prevent further loss of life.
In Clay County, officials confirmed that a 73-year-old man was found dead in floodwaters, according to Revelle Berry, Deputy Director of County Emergency Management.
Widespread Impact Across the State
- Nearly 40,000 residents remain without power.
- 9,800 service connections are currently without water.
- 26,000 residents are under a boil-water advisory.
- Pike County School District announced indefinite school closures due to the disaster.
On Sunday, Gov. Beshear announced that President Donald Trump had approved his request for federal disaster relief funding to assist impacted communities.
Parts of Kentucky and Tennessee were inundated with up to six inches of rainfall over the weekend, according to Bob Oravec, senior forecaster at the National Weather Service.
“The effects will continue for a while—a lot of swollen streams and a lot of flooding still happening,” Oravec warned. “Even when the rain stops, floodwaters can linger for much longer.”
In addition to the devastation in Kentucky, officials confirmed that a levee in Rives, Tennessee, failed Saturday afternoon, flooding nearby neighborhoods. The extent of the impact remains unclear, and authorities are continuing to assess the damage.
Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious, avoid flooded roads, and follow local emergency guidelines as rescue and recovery efforts continue.