Two people were injured Friday afternoon after a strong line of storms produced a waterspout on Clearwater Beach.
Video released by the city of Clearwater showed the waterspout as it made its way on shore around 4 p.m., scattering visitors and tossing beach canopies.
A small #waterspout moved ashore quickly this afternoon on #ClearwaterBeach near lifeguard Tower 2. Two people went to the hospital with minor injuries after being struck by flying debris. @NWSTampaBay @DenisPhillipsWx @PaulFox13 @10TampaBay @WFLA @BN9 @NWS @NWSSPC pic.twitter.com/djLBiJD5PR
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) June 17, 2023
Officials say two visitors from Kansas — a 70-year-old woman and 63-year-old man — were taken to Morton Plant Hospital and treated for minor injuries.
According to the National Weather Service, the unsettled weather will continue through the weekend, with rounds of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms.
Forecasters say there's a slight risk of strong to severe storms that could produce damaging wind gusts and hail, along with heavy rainfall and lightning.
Muggy conditions will also prevail, forecasters say, with a heat index reaching between 100 and 105.
