1 Hour Of Storms; Thousands Of Dollars' Worth Of Damage

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Mother Nature proved she doesn't have to manufacture a hurricane to create havoc.

Within an hour on Friday, a wall of severe thunderstorms produced strong wind gusts and spawned tornadoes, blowing down trees, ripping the roofs off of homes and downing power lines.

Just ask the Sidarous family in New Port Richey, The family's 2-month-old daughter was sleep in her crib Friday afternoon when a tornado knocked a large oak tree into their home, crashing through the ceiling into the baby's nursery.

Miraculously, the baby was unharmed.

The Sidarous home was among seven homes that received damage in the Fairway Springs subdivision in New Port Richey.

In all, three tornadoes ripped through Pasco County -- New Port Richey, Spring Hill and Land O' Lakes -- damaging 19 homes, according to Pasco Fire Rescue. The twisters caused thousands of dollars' worth of damage but there were no injuries. The Spring Hill and New Port Richey were confirmed as EF-1 tornados.

"‪This morning I toured areas and met with residents impacted by last night's tornado," said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. "Thankfully, no one was injured. The county is devising a plan to pick up tree debris in the areas affected."

Pasco County wasn't the only community impacted by the unexpected afternoon thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service is still investigating reports of possible tornadoes in communities around Tampa Bay. The NWS issued 14 tornado warnings between 3 and 4 p.m. on Friday, impacting Pinellas, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties

In addition to tornadoes, the line of intense storms produced a number of lightning strikes. The American Red Cross was called in to help residents in Seminole, Clearwater, Pinellas Park and other communities find alternative shelter when roofs were torn off homes. Shelters were opened at the Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson, and Christ Lutheran Church, 3451 30th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

TECO reported 37,000 homes without power and Duke Energy had about 14,000 homes and Withlacoochee River Electric has 10,948 homes without power in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Images Pasco Sheriff, Fire Rescue, Pinellas Sheriff

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