Severe Storms Pounding Central Fla.
TAMPA (CBS4) - The Tampa-St. Petersburg area has been hammered with severe weather throughout Wednesday. A storm system has spawned severe thunderstorms and small tornadoes through much of the area and across Central Florida.
The conditions have been so rough in some parts of Tampa that the Skyway Bridge in the area was closed to all high-profile vehicles due to high winds, according to Tampa CBS affiliate WTSP.
The storms have been downing power lines across the area which has caused delays at Tampa International Airport. At St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport, several small planes were blown over.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said that a tractor trailer truck was blown over on its side and landed on two other vehicles. No one was injured in the incident.
Wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour were felt in Tampa in the second straight day of strong to severe thunderstorms in the area.
East of the Tampa area in Lakeland, seven people were injured when a tent collapsed when severe thunderstorms rolled through the area near the Lakeland Linder Airport.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect for most of Central Florida and extending southward to the Broward County line. The watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and around the watch area.
No counties in South Florida are currently under any watches, but heavy thunderstorms are possible through the rest of the afternoon/evening and into Thursday night.
