Tornadoes

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fired hundreds of employees at the end of February, including meteorologists. Experts and scientists expressed concern that these cuts will affect forecasting systems’ reliability and accuracy.

A National Weather Service spokesperson said winds peaked at around 115 mph, or the equivalent of winds seen during a Category 3 hurricane.

The drill will be broadcasted over NOAA weather radios at 10 a.m. Participation is voluntary, but residents and businesses are encouraged to practice sheltering as if a tornado was threatening.

Among a series of other weather records, Hurricane Milton set a one day state tornado record as well.

The tornado that killed six people in St. Lucie County lasted an agonizing 31 minutes. As of Wednesday, 26 tornadoes spawned by Hurricane Milton have been confirmed from Florida City to Highlands County to St. Lucie County.

Florida officials have requested that FEMA declare a major disaster as Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey says recovery has cost $50 million so far.

Tallahassee's tornadoes brought down countless large trees, leaving deep cavities in the earth, which might reveal ancient and historic artifacts.

The week starts with severe weather, including the chance for a tornado or two, damaging winds, and hail for the Florida Panhandle. Flash flood risk increases for Tuesday along the I-10 corridor.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and the National Weather Service are recognizing this week as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Drawing attention to several weather hazards, the campaign aims to share information on how to prepare and respond to natural disasters.

The storm hit Panama City early Tuesday morning.

A severe weather system tracked across the Southeast this morning, and it spawned reports of tornadoes and damaging wind gusts across Florida’s Panhandle.

The same system that produced damaging winds and tornado reports is entering the Florida peninsula this afternoon. Impacts to continue into the evening.