4:32 p.m.: No injuries reported
The Cocoa Beach Fire Department started getting calls at 2:43 p.m. about damage to buildings on North Atlantic Avenue, south of State Road 520.

Three buildings in the area had minor to moderate damage. Another three to five buildings had minor damage.

There are no reports of injuries. Eight families have lost their homes because of the storm, and the Red Cross is trying to arrange shelter for the families.

Deputy Fire Chief Guy Wine said there was no confirmed report of a funnel cloud touching down in Cocoa Beach, but the storm affected a 10-block area north of the 3100 N. Atlantic Ave.

A few powerlines were down in the area, and Florida Power & Light crews are working to restore them. There several buildings without power.

“We are expecting more bad weather through the night, and we are prepared,” Wine said.

3:55 p.m.: Condo roof blown off
The tornado touched down at the Diplomat Condominiums, eyewitnesses report. A roof from one of the Diplomat's buildings blew off and landed on cars in the parking lot of Windrush Condominiums.

There are reports of heavy damage to cars and a building at Windrush. No injuries have been reported. People who live in the condos are out in the street trying to assess the damage.

3:18 p.m.: More damage reported in Cocoa Beach
Damage reported at Windrush Apartments in Cocoa Beach. Police investigators have set up a perimeter around the building. There's no report on how serious the damage is. Check back later for updates.

3:05 p.m.: Roof damage, trees uprooted in Cocoa Beach
The Cocoa Beach Fire Department is reporting some roof damage to the Diplomat Condominiums on North Atlantic Avenue in the Cocoa Beach area because of the tornado that just passed through the area.

There are reports of uprooted trees in the area of St. Lucie Lane in Cocoa Beach.

— Kaustuv Basu, FLORIDA TODAY

2:58 p.m.: Damage in Cocoa Beach
At 2:44 p.m., the National Weather Service said a tornado was reported. This tornado was located between Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, moving north at 20 mph.

Brevard County Fire-Rescue has reported a tornado touchdown south of Cocoa Beach, and nickel sized hail was reported in Cocoa Beach.

The tornado will be near 9 miles southeast of Kennedy Space Center by 3 p.m.

2:30 p.m.: Funnel cloud spotted
At 2:18 p.m., National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Patrick AFB, moving north at 20 mph.

A funnel cloud was reported east of the intersection of State Road 520 and US 1 over the intracoastal waters.

12:45 p.m. update: Lightning ignites small fire
GRANTVALKARIA — Lightning may have sparked a brush fire this afternoon as storms moved into the area, officials said.

Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews responded to reports of the 20-foot wide fire in the area of Malabar Road and Greenacre Drive in the southeast section of the city, officials said.

No homes were endangered as the small fire was pushed to the west by winds. Scattered rain showers also fell over Palm Bay as firefighters dampened the blaze with water, officials said.

— J.D. Gallop, FLORIDA TODAY

12:35 p.m. update: Showers move into area
Latest statement from the National Weather Service:

Through 3 p.m., widely scattered showers will move rapidly north northwest at 25 to 30 mph across east central Florida through mid afternoon.

A few cells could contain brief heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Expect coverage to expand into late afternoon.

One-two punch for Central Florida

Florida will be hit by a one-two punch of storm systems that could touch off severe weather conditions late today and Wednesday, forecasters said.

First, a warm front will move north into Central Florida, increasing the chances for rain this afternoon and tonight.

Then, a line of disturbed weather will sweep in from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing a potential for strong storms into Wednesday morning.

"Widespread showers — possibly heavy at times — with embedded storms are expected to develop over Central Florida late this afternoon," forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Melbourne said in a statement today.

"A warm front lifting north this afternoon and early tonight will enhance directional wind shear while increasing the potential for a few rotating storms, including damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes late tonight and early Wednesday morning," forecaster John Pendergrast said.

"A squall line will likely develop over the Gulf of Mexico and sweep east across northern and Central Florida a few hours either side of sunrise Wednesday," he said.

"The primary threat from the squall line will be damaging straight line winds, hail and very heavy rainfall with the potential for isolated tornadoes," Pendergrast said.

Florida Today