Powerful winds, severe thunderstorms and some tornadoes swept across Tampa Bay, Lakeland and Polk City in central Florida.
Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Tampa law enforcement and firefighter/paramedics responded to multiple reports of small tornadoes and high winds across the central Florida region. Wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour were reported in St. Petersburg, where skies turned dark around 11:15 a.m.
Strong storms also hit yesterday, dropping many power lines.
In Lakeland, Florida at least seven people were injured when a tent collapsed at the Sun ‘n Fun event at the Lakeland Airport. At least 70 people were inside the tent when it collapsed. One person suffered a fractured hip, but the rest of the injuries were apparently minor.
Wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour were reported in Tampa, and emergency crews responded to a report of a commercial building collapse with no injuries.
Small planes flipped over at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport. Large traffic jams happened on a bridge when a tractor-trailer truck flipped onto two cars.
Throughout the area power was out, some trees were uprooted and some trees were snapped at the trunks.
See also …
St. Petersburg Times Several reports of a tornado on the ground as Tampa Bay remains under tornado watch
See more photos at Bay News 9 Wednesday’s weather causes damage throughout area
Authorities say seven people were injured when a festival tent collapsed at a regional airport as storms battered central Florida.