Governor Declares Emergency in Four Florida Counties Affected by Tornados

In what meteorologists are claiming to be "not the normal" weather for this time of the year in Florida, a series of strong and severe thunderstorms and a suspected killer tornado or possible tornadoes ripped through multiple Florida areas shortly before dawn, causing massive damage in a 20 square mile radius just in Lake County. The most destruction seems to have occurred between the predawn hours between 3 and 4 a.m.

Residents report hearing a freight train and then the storm was right on top of them. Most of those that took cover stayed inside until sunrise, only to emerge from their homes to find what they described as surreal and horrible as their eyes saw cars strewn along trees, flipped over, roofs torn off homes, homes demolished and streets littered with down trees and power lines.

There are reports that there are no tornado sirens in the area and those that did have their NOAA weather alert radios and had then turned on heard a very strongly worded tornado warning that repeated "take cover now" three times. However, the lead-time from when the tornado warning was issued was a mere 15 minutes or less. Many people in the hardest hit areas in Lake County lived in mobile homes that were destroyed or had their roofs ripped off. A church that was built to withstand 150 mph winds was just about leveled and the church members said they would just build it again and make it bigger and better.

Some residents report that there are areas that looks as if there were never even homes there before the storm came through. Meteorologists suspect that it was one tornado that bounced its way across the Florida landscape touching down, wreaking havoc and then disappearing and touching down again further away.

Tractor Trailer Trucks were blown off the interstate, one of which is being described as demolished, as well as a U-Haul truck that was towing a car. Over 20,000 people are without power and the top priority for today is search and rescue. This means that many residents will more than likely be without power for at least today.

The body of a baby was found in a home and authorities are reporting that the infant was not a resident of that house. They are now trying to find out where the baby came from and who its parents are. A teenage boy was seen talking to news reporters about trying to save a woman. He said he had checked her pulse and tried to save her but his attempt was unsuccessful. He said he had seen two dead bodies today and that it just wasn't right.

When authorities were asked if they expect more casualties they replied that it is certainly a possibility. Home to home searches are being conducted and it is being reported that dogs have been seen being brought into the area. The reports are assuming they are cadaver dogs to search for bodies, however a sheriff reports they are searching for live people and will continue to search until sundown and then scale back the search during the night and stay in the area and search all weekend if needed or until they feel confident that all residents are accounted for.

Authorities are urging any and all person who do not live in the area or have any reason to enter the area to please stay away so the search and rescue can be conducted more efficiently. They are also reminding residents to stay away from ANY down electrical wires and puddles of water.

The Attorney General is concerned with fraud from storeowners and contractors and to be careful if anyone comes by and offers to do work on their homes. To keep yourself safe from fraud, ensure they have a license and that they are not overcharging you during this desperate time in your life and if you go to a store and find prices for essentials for repairing your home and other necessities hiked up higher than what you know to be the usual cost, please report this to your local authorities.

The governor is preparing to hold a press conference at this time.

Sources: CNN, Associated Press, Reports From Various Message Forums