Tornado Warning For West Central FL: National Weather Service

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA — The National Weather Service in Ruskin has issued a tornado warning for portions of West Central Florida until 5:30 p.m.

Areas that fall under the warning include northwestern Manatee County, southeastern Pinellas County, south central Hillsborough County and northwestern Sarasota County.

At about 4:58 p.m., a radar indicated that a waterspout was offshore near Sarasota’s Gulf Gate Estates moving north at 45 mph. It was expected to pass near Kensington Park around 5:05 p.m.; Sarasota, North Sarasota, Sarasota Bradenton Airport, The Meadows and Lakewood Ranch around 5:10 p.m.; West Samoset, Bradenton, Ellenton, South Bradenton and West Bradenton around 5:20 p.m.; Palmetto and Memphis round 5:25 p.m.; and Parrish around 5:30 p.m.

Other locations that could be impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Osprey, Bayshore Gardens, Cortez, Vamo, Oscar Scherer State Park, Bee Ridge, Samoset, Desoto Lakes, Lake Maggiore and Palma Sola.

The NWS urges people to take cover as flying debris can be dangerous to those without shelter. Mobile homes, houses and tree damage is possible.