Here's what you need to know about this morning's weather:

  • BN9 Weather Experts confirm tornadoes touched down in Clearwater, Port Richey
  • Damage reported in several neighborhoods in the area
  • Power was knocked out in parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties
  • No injuries reported

Our Weather Experts have confirmed that tornadoes touched down Thursday morning in Clearwater and Port Richey.

Three tornado warnings were issued in the hours between 5 to 7 a.m. in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The heavy rain and strong winds moved east at about 30 mph, swinging through southern Pasco and northern Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

As a result of those storms, damage was reported in multiple neighborhoods, including heavy damage in Jasmine Estates in Pasco.

Power was also knocked out in Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Klystron 9 detected one of the tornadoes as it moved through Clearwater Thursday morning. The images below were taken in "wind shear mode" and show the areas of high winds.

Pasco County damage

According to county officials, 35 homes and businesses were damaged, five of which had structural damage.

“I just woke up and I saw the neighborhood was in shambles," said Port Richey resident Brandon Mitchell.

Port Richey saw trees uprooted and laying on top of homes, furniture in pools, and even a trampoline in a canal.

“The top of our lanai, it did like a wave. It picked up and back down, up and back down,” said resident Victor Kumale. “Honestly, at that time I kind of closed the shades, went into the bathroom, told the wife there was a tornado coming and we had to stay in the bathroom."

Kumale says it lasted for what felt like only seconds, then the sun came out. Soon after, so did friends and neighbors.

“When he needed some help I grabbed my gear, grabbed my truck, and came right over," said Nestor Evans, a 25-year friend of Kumale. More and more people kept showing up, working together for hours to make the neighborhood look like a neighborhood again.

Here's where damage has been reported in Pasco County:

  • Emergency crews received calls about storm damage in Regency Park area.
  • Damaged homes, debris in road and downed power lines reported on Drexel Drive.
  • Damage reported along U.S. 19 near Butch Road and Fox Hollow Road.
  • Trees damaged and fences knocked down on Parrot Drive.
  • Lanais and sheds damaged on San Mateo Way and Sea Breeze Drive in Port Richey.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said the sheriff's office is assisting.

"Deputies are checking the area and assisting Fire Rescue and emergency services," Nocco said. "We're blessed that no one was hurt."

Pasco officials say anyone with property damage should call assistance line at (727) 847-2411.

Damage and debris were also reported in multiple roads in the New Port Richey area.

Clearwater damage

Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department crews are on scene in the 3200 block of Brigadoon Drive for damage related to thunderstorms that swept through the area this morning. Multiple trees have fallen there, affecting town homes.

Three units have been damaged and the Red Cross is responding to assist those residents. No injuries have been reported.

"I went to the window and looked out and I see clouds spinning," said Shawn Callahan, who lives in one of the damaged townhouses. "And I look down and I see trees and branches flying all over the place. And then it came over the back of the house and it was over."

Other reports of damage include:

  • Large trees uprooted and power lines down near Eddie C. Moore Recreation Complex, located at 3050 Drew St.
  • Fence, scoreboard, soccer goals damaged at Eddie C. Moore Recreation Complex.
  • Large tree uprooted near McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater.
  • Damage reports at Grand View, Merrill, Hoyt and Moss avenues.

According to Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay, Klystron 9 can detect the exact areas of damage by analyzing the wind shear from several radar scans. The image above shows the areas that experienced damage as a result of Thursday morning's tornado.

Clearwater Beach waterspout

As storms moved onshore in Pinellas County, the system also spawned a water spout for the Clearwater Beach area around 7 a.m.

"I watched the waterspout dip lower and lower until it came down near Sand Key," said resident Don Evans.

Two boaters who were caught in the storm a few miles off Tarpon Springs were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard at about 8 a.m.  The boaters were apparently uninjured, but they were dealing with a sinking boat.

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