Powerful storms hit Central Florida early Monday morning, and an Orlando TV station found itself in the middle of the chaos. A weather camera at Fox 35 captured what appeared to be a tornado striking the station itself.
Meteorologist Brooks Garner was on air, providing updates about tornado warnings for Volusia and Seminole counties when conditions suddenly worsened. He urged his colleagues to take cover under their desks, the designated safe spots in such emergencies. As the storm intensified, he reported debris flying across Interstate 4 and into nearby neighborhoods like Lake Mary and Sanford.
“This is a confirmed tornado,” Garner announced as the power flickered in the studio. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, urging viewers to seek shelter. The tornado reportedly struck the station for about a minute, causing damage that staff members later assessed.
Photos shared by a Fox employee showed damage to vehicles in the station’s parking lot. The Seminole Fire Department also released images of a home that collapsed just before 10 a.m. on Monday. Fortunately, two people inside that home were unharmed.
In an email, the fire department confirmed that a home had collapsed on Blue Iris in Longwood, along with another home that was damaged. They reported that residents were safe and that crews were working to clear fallen trees that blocked roads.
The National Weather Service had been issuing tornado warnings throughout the morning. They plan to survey the area soon to confirm whether a tornado did indeed occur and assess its strength.
Garner, who has been in the business for a long time, noted that this was the first time a tornado had hit while he was delivering the weather report. He advised viewers to stay low and away from windows, emphasizing the importance of safety during such severe weather events.