x
Breaking News
More () »

Severe storms damage buildings, topple trees north of the Tampa Bay area

As storms clear out, colder and drier air will move in.

OCALA, Fla. — A line of severe storms pushed through Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, on Saturday morning, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds.

In Highlands County, there were reports of wind damage at the Leisure Acres mobile home park in Sebring. Multiple mobile homes in the community saw roof and carport damage, according to the National Weather Service.

Credit: Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, Government

In Polk County, a semi truck overturned on Highway 98 north of Bartow as storms moved through. While the sheriff's office did not say the exact cause of the crash, the county faced threats of wind gusts up to 60 mph. 

No injuries were reported.

Another overturned semi truck was spotted just north of the Tampa Bay area, in Ocala. Ocala Fire Rescue shared an image of it along with photos of several damaged buildings. Law enforcement officials have not specified if there were any injuries at this time.

Credit: Ocala Fire Rescue

One photo shows an apartment building that appears to have walls and a portion of the roof ripped away.

Credit: Ocala Fire Rescue

Other images showed debris and massive downed trees on the roads, including one that appears to have smashed into a car.

Credit: Ocala Fire Rescue
Credit: Ocala Fire Rescue

Just after 12:30 p.m., Ocala Fire Rescue tweeted that crews were working diligently to respond to "the influx of emergency calls that these events have and continue to generate."

Tarps are available at the Marion County Sheriff's Office for those impacted by the severe storms. Pickup is available at the Marion County Sheriff's Office multipurpose room at 3300 NW 10th Street, Ocala, Florida. The American Red Cross is also set up at Central Christian Church on NE 14th Street in Ocala.

A citizen information line has also been opened for Marion County residents with questions or in need of information. You can call 352-369-7500 daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

As storms clear out, colder and drier air moves in, sending temperatures Saturday afternoon into the 60s, and eventually into the 50s. 

It's going to be a cold night Saturday into Sunday morning with lows in the 30s and 40s. A breeze will make it feel even a few degrees colder than that.

Before You Leave, Check This Out