Tornado Hits Pinellas County, Causing Reported Damage

LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) — Pinellas County experienced damage after severe thunderstorms rolled through the area on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by high winds, hail, and a tornado.

In response to reports of substantial storm damage thought to be caused by a small tornado that touched down nearby, multiple first responders were sent to the Pinebrook neighborhood.

According to a spokesperson for the Pinellas Park Police Department, the damage seemed confined to residential and commercial properties. No injuries have been reported.

Emergency personnel were continuing to assist residents and assess the damage in the neighborhood Wednesday night.

“Our top priority is ensuring the safety of those impacted,” the spokesperson said. “Crews are working to clear debris, restore access to affected areas, and coordinate with utility

providers as needed.”

The National Weather Service confirmed later Wednesday night that a tornado touched down near Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Largo Fire Rescue said multiple homes in the Ranchero Village mobile home park on Ulmerton Road sustained damage.

While in Largo, News Channel 8 reporters saw a home with one of its walls shifted off its foundation. A few streets over, a carport could be seen flipped on its side.

One man who was out checking on his neighbors recalled seeing the funnel cloud in the sky.

“There was no dirt in this funnel cloud. It was just a wall of spiral,” said Steve Carlsen. “Within just a couple of minutes it was right at my house here.”

Another resident in the area, Rick Gilkes, said he and his two dogs were briefly trapped inside their home after the storm caused the walls to cave in.

“I looked up and I saw the twister. I yelled twister to a guy that was delivering packages,” Giles said. “When I hit the floor, my dogs hit the floor with me at the same time and then it was like a bomb going off. This thing (his home) just blew up.”

Some viewers in Pinellas Park sent in videos of swirling clouds and debris flying in the air. Residents in Largo also reported receiving large amounts of hail.