At least three tornadoes were reported Tuesday morning in Florida, according to the National Weather Service.
Several counties in the state closed schools and the NWS issued regular watches and warnings throughout the night and Tuesday morning as a result of the severe storms.
The storms shook nearby areas, causing homes to tilt on their sides and collapse Recreational vehicle surfacing.
The storms are associated with a strong low and an associated cold front that brings potentially damaging winds, coastal flooding, the chance of tornadoes, and heavy rain. Impacts began Monday night and are expected to peak Tuesday morning in the Panhandle and continue through Tuesday evening on the Peninsula, according to WeatherTiger Chief Meteorologist Ryan Truchalot.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday activated the Florida State Guard “in response to potentially severe weather expected across the state,” according to a news release from the governor's office.
See the damage:Videos and photos were posted on social media after tornadoes were reported in Florida
The hurricane causes damage in the Grand Lagoon near Panama City
The NWS said there were several tornadoes observed in the Panhandle Tuesday morning. One is near De Funiak Springs, one is near Panama City, and one is across Interstate 10 near Marianna.
Confirmation, along with strength and severity will be determined by the NWS, but residents are posting videos and photos on social media of the damage left behind.
The NWS also issued several tornado warnings for the area with quarter-sized hail possible, According to the NWS Tornado X summary.
Florida and Greater Southeast Radar
Bad weather in Florida closes schools
The Florida Department of Education announced Monday that school districts in the following counties will close on Tuesday, January 9 due to the storms:
- Alachua County
- Bay County
- Bradford County
- Calhoun County
- Citrus County: Schools have a half day on Tuesday, January 9
- District of Columbia
- Dixie County
- Duval County
- Escambia County
- FAMU Laboratory School
- FSU Labo School (Florida High School)
- Franklin County
- Gadsden County
- Gilchrist County
- Glades County
- Gulf County
- Hamilton County
- Hernando County: Early release Tuesday, January 9.
- Holmes County
- Jackson County
- Jefferson County
- Lafayette County
- Lake County: Early release Tuesday, January 9.
- Leon County
- Levy County
- Freedom County
- Madison County
- Marion County
- Nassau County
- Okaloosa County
- Pasco County
- Santa Rosa County
- St. Johns County: Schools will launch one hour early on Tuesday, January 9
- Taylor County
- Union County
- Wakulla County
- Walton County
- Washington County
Colleges/universities:
- Chipola College It will be closed on Tuesday, January 9th.
- College of Central Florida It will be closed on Tuesday, January 9th.
- Florida A&M University It will be closed on Tuesday, January 9th.
- Florida State University It will reopen at 11pm on Tuesday 9 January.
- Gulf Coast State College: All universities will postpone opening their doors to staff and students until 11 a.m. CST, Tuesday, January 9.
- North Florida College It will be closed on Tuesday, January 9th.
- Northwest Florida State College It will reopen at 10am on Tuesday 9 January.
- Pasco Hernando State College It will be closed on Tuesday, January 9th.
- Pensacola State College It will reopen at 12 noon on Tuesday 9 January.
- Tallahassee Community College It will be closed on Tuesday, January 9th.
- University of West Florida It will reopen at 12 noon on Tuesday 9 January.
Power outages across Florida
Weather alerts issued in Florida
