'Extensive damage' reported from suspected tornado in St. Andrews
PANAMA CITY — Ken McVay, media specialist for the Panama City Police Department, says there is "extensive damage in the St. Andrews area" following severe weather on Friday afternoon.
While The News Herald has received reports that the damage was caused by a suspected tornado, McVay said at about 9 p.m. that he could not confirm if one had touched down.
"There is extensive damage in the St. Andrews area between the 1700 block and the 2000 to 2100 block of Frankford Avenue," he said. "That encompasses Clay (Avenue) and Calhoun (Avenue) and several other streets."
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McVay noted that Florida Power & Light has reported that about 3,000 homes are without power following the storm.
"There is debris and other items in the roadway and in the yards, power lines have been compromised and are down on the ground (and) we are asking everyone to please avoid the area," he said.
By 10 p.m., PCPD officials had not received any reports of injuries, McVay said.
McVay also said the American Red Cross has set up a point of contact in the parking lot of Sam's Club on 23rd Street for people who might have been displaced by the storm.
"They're going to work with them to provide probably temporary housing if needed, and then they'll go from there," he said.
According to Cameron Young, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, it is "likely" that a tornado caused the damage. The NWS will send a specialist to Bay County on Saturday morning to examine the area and make a determination, he said.
Young added that Friday's severe storm also dropped an average of 4 inches to 5 inches of rain across the county, with higher amounts in isolated areas.
"We've seen a lot of videos and pictures this afternoon from the Panama City area, and it does appear likely that it was a tornado," he said Friday night. "For tonight into tomorrow, it looks like most of the rain and storms are done with in Bay County. There could still be some scattered showers and maybe a thunderstorm or two, but it looks like the severe threat is pretty much over."
A post on the Panama City Police Department Facebook page from about 8 p.m. Friday stated that the intersection of Beck Avenue and U.S. 98 was closed to traffic.
It also listed that there were roadway obstructions on the 1800 block of Foster Avenue and the 1800 block of Hickory Avenue. The 1800 block of Clay Avenue also was said to be blocked with debris.
"We'll continue to update our Facebook page with information as it comes in throughout the evening," McVay said.
Live weather radar in Panama City
This story will be updated as additional information is confirmed.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City tornado: Possible twister hits Florida Panhandle
