A line of strong storms, including a tornado, moved across central Florida Friday afternoon leaving damage in their wake.
The National Weather Service reported that a tornado touched down at Massey Ranch Airpark near Edgewater, flipping two planes over and damaging hangars.
The airpark is open, but the area by the hangars is shut down as crews survey the damage after the tornado made a straight path into a residential neighborhood.
Forecasters said it is believed the tornado was an EF0 with winds estimated at 70-80 mph. Forecasters will visit the area to confirm the storms strength.
The storm also brought down trees, damaged roof and destroyed sheds in the Edgewater area.
Residents in the Wildwood neighborhood in Edgewater were running for cover when the tornado ripped through their neighborhood.
“I was in my car and then all the sudden everything was going around. So I ran into my neighbor’s yard and it was just crazy,” said resident Holly Woodard.
Large trees plucked from the ground like weeds and were thrown on top of cars and buildings.
“It was pretty wild to see some flipped-over planes kind of torn apart, and the buildings just shredded,” said resident Ryan Jenkins.
A kayak flew into a shed, which was torn apart.
“It was like a tunnel. It came through the back of this yard right here and went all the way up through the street,” Woodard said.
Tornado spotter Nicholas Szegda was initially watching the storm on the radar before calling it into the National Weather Service.
“It started 40 to 50 and it kept increasing. The rain was blowing sideways. You could see limbs coming off of the trees,” Szegda said.
Fire officials said multiple homes have damage, but only one building at the airpark was a total loss.
“Everybody was screaming and crying. It was one of the craziest things I’ve ever been in,” Woodard said.
The storm is also being blames for roof damage at the Coastal Waters Inn on South Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach.
Hotel guests said patio furniture was scattered everywhere.
Several callers to WFTV Channel 9 reported a tornado in the Edgewater area. One viewer sent a video of the tornado.
The storms also forced the launch of a Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to be scrubbed. Officials said during the storms the rocket was struck by lightning but did not sustain any damage.
Officials will make a fourth attempt to get the rocket off the pad at 6:51 p.m. Saturday.
No injuries were reported.
Follow Renee Stoll on Twitter: @RStollWFTV
Follow Tom Terry on Twitter: @TTerryWFTV
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