19 Killed in Violent Florida Storms: Residents Say They Had No Warning

After surveying the damage of Friday's storms and tornadoes Governor Charlie Grist told the media, "It looks like a bomb went off in Central Florida. Worst hit was Lake County where nineteen were found dead and more than 15,000 left without power. 1,500 homes and businesses were damaged. The National Weather Service issued a storm advisory and local meteorologist suggested the possibility of tornadoes, but many residents claimed they just didn't know the storm was coming. Lake County does not have tornado sirens.

Lake County is a 2,000 square mile piece of land in Central Florida, in the Orlando-Metropolitan area. While some of its land remains rural, Lake County's fourteen municipalities are growing and attempting to attract more residents and businesses. The County's Department of Economic Growth & Redevelopment boasts a large transportation network, and a stimulated economy. As this area on the outskirts of Orlando continues to grow, they are also contending with a Tornado rate that is 2.2 times over the national average. As FEMA plans to go into the affected areas over the coming weekend, perhaps plans for a proper siren system will be discussed.

Unfortunately, it is too late for the families devastated by Friday's deaths. Damage survey teams will not go into the area until Saturday, after emergency personnel complete their recovery effort. It is the job of the teams to collect data for the Weather Service so that they may determine the strength and the path of the tornadoes. According to the current information of the National Weather Service, at least one tornado touched about 3:15 a.m. in Lady Lake and Paisley a half-hour later, it then crossed from Lake into Volusia County, where DeLand was hit about 4 a.m. and the New Smyrna Beach area about 4:30 a.m.. It was the timing of the tornadoes that possibly made them so fatal, warnings were issued by the Weather Service sixteen minutes in advance, but almost no one was awake to hear them. Without sirens, many Lake County residents didn't know the tornado was coming until they heard it barreling through their yards and homes.

6,000 were still without power Friday night. A curfew is in effect and resident are advised to boil their water. Governor Grist has declared a state of emergency, and is hoping the FEMA official will declare is a state of emergency after their tour. In their news release County Commission Chairwoman Welton Cadwell said, "It has been a tragic day in Lake County."