Collier, Lee, Hendry, and Charlotte have Multiple tornado warnings
By 10 of the clock Tuesday night, six separate tornado warnings had been issued across much of lower Southwest Florida due to the hurricane’s winds.
At 9:33 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was positioned near Big Cypress National Preserve, or 16 miles northeast of Everglades City, and was traveling northwest at 35 mph when a warning was issued for southern Collier County.
By 10:00 PM, the deadline for that warning would have passed.
Southeastern Charlotte County and northeastern Lee County were under another warning that was due to end at 9:45 p.m.
At 9:35 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was spotted over Charleston Park, or close to Lehigh Acres, and was heading northwest at 10 mph when the warning was issued.
Storms with the potential to produce tornadoes were spotted in Royal Palm Hammock at 9:14 p.m., 10 miles northwest of Everglades City, and moving in a northwesterly direction at 20 mph. As of 9:45 p.m., the alert was still active.
According to the NWS, there could be delays or cancellations at the Marco Island Airport, Royal Palm Hammock, and Port Of The Island.
A severe thunderstorm capable of spawning a tornado was spotted over Felda, about 10 miles north of Immokalee, and was heading northwest at 20 mph at 8:51 p.m.; a tornado warning was issued for northern Collier County and northwest Hendry County until 9:15 p.m.
Minutes earlier, at 8:27 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was positioned near Naples and was moving northwest at 20 mph, prompting the issuance of a tornado warning in west central Collier County until 9 p.m.
Neighborhoods in Naples, Golden Gate Estates, Naples Park, the west toll gate on Alligator Alley, and the Vineyards were among those most at risk.
Shortly after 7 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was situated near Copeland, or 9 miles north of Everglades City, moving northwest at 30 mph, and a tornado warning was issued for southwestern Collier County; it was lifted at 7:30 p.m.
At 5:18 p.m., a tornado warning was issued for south-central Collier and north-central mainland Monroe County. On Tuesday, a tornado-producing storm was spotted near Loop Road, about 21 miles east of Chokoloskee, and it was heading north at around 25 mph.
The tornado was verified via radar.
Tuesday between 4:45 p.m. and Wednesday at 5 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for parts of central and south Florida. Cities such as Arcadia, Avon Park, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Naples, Placid Lakes, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and Sebring, as well as the counties of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, and Highlands, are covered.
This afternoon, sections of south Florida and the Keys, and tonight, parts of central Florida, might see the emergence of supercells and even a few tornadoes.
When the weather service issues a tornado warning, the storm in question is already in the area. Make your way to a room on the lowest floor possible of a solid building and stay there. Stay away from glass. The best course of action for anyone caught outside, in a mobile home, or a moving vehicle is to seek refuge in the nearest solid shelter.
Tornado watches indicate the potential for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the watch region and surrounding areas. People in these locations should keep an eye out for dangerous weather and pay attention to any further updates or warnings that may be issued.
