'Wet Tornados' More Common Than You Think

(This story was originally reported and written by Field Editor Linda Hersey)

A recent spate of water spouts in the Tampa Bay area has surprised many locals, who are taking cell phone photos and videos of the weather phenomena. 

But water spouts actually are a common occurrence in the Sunshine State, reports NBC News.

"Florida is a magnet for these wet tornados," according to an NBC news reports.

The Florida Keys ranks as the No. 1 location in the U.S. for water spouts, with as many as 500 per year. 

No. 2 is the area of Homestead (just north of the Keys) to Stuart, on Florida's east coast.

NOAA senior scientist Joseph Golden told USA TODAY that if boaters ever  observe a water spout forming in the distance, they should drive at right angles away from the funnel cloud. If that's not possible, he said it might be better to dive overboard and swim underwater than to be caught in the flying debris of a "wet tornado."

"If you dive before one hits, I think you'll be OK," Golden told USA TODAY.