MYAKKA CITY, Fla. (970 WFLA) - Three tornadoes touched down in Bay Area counties, including northeastern Manatee and eastern Polk, during powerful storms caused by a cold front that crossed the state Thursday.
In Myakka City, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado with 80 mile-per-hour winds ravaged an area .2 miles long and 75-yards wide.
"The wind was howling," Myakka City resident Debbie Rhoden told News Channel 8.
"Blowing in real heavy. I went to my screen door to close it to the bedroom and as I was talking to my daughter on the phone, the drape wrapped around me. I'm like, 'Oh my god, Sarah, call your Dad, there's a tornado!' It was just so bad I couldn't close the door," Rhoden said.
Two more tornadoes, both EF-0, struck Polk County. A twister near Lake Wales had 75 mile-per-hour winds, was 30 yards wide, and stretched .07 miles along Crooked Lake Park. Another tornado touched down near Ft. Meade with 76 mile-per-hour winds and stretched for .76 of a mile.
There were no serious injuries as a result of the tornadoes, although a 90-year old Lake Wales resident was hurt when strong winds blew off her roof.
Photo Credit: WFLA-TV