Tornado strikes Florida TV station during live broadcast

Florida TV station’s tornado alert is interrupted by an actual tornado hitting the studio during a live weather broadcast.

In Short

A Florida TV station, WOFL Fox 35, faced a tornado during a live broadcast, with meteorologist Brooks Garner urging staff to take cover while informing viewers of the storm. After the tornado passed, it caused minimal damage, with one house collapsing but no injuries reported, highlighting Florida’s vulnerability to tornadoes.

A Florida TV station, WOFL Fox 35, experienced a tornado while broadcasting live about severe weather.

Meteorologist Brooks Garner realised the danger during his update and urged staff to take cover, saying, “Get under your desks.”

As the tornado approached the studio in Seminole County, Garner communicated with viewers, warning them of the storm’s trajectory.

Cameras captured the moment the tornado crossed Interstate 4 and affected the building, with Garner confirming, “This is a real tornado.”

He reported debris hitting the station as the power flickered, yet the broadcast continued without interruption. Garner expressed relief at the station’s readiness for such emergencies.

Following the tornado, one house in Orlando collapsed, but occupants were uninjured, as reported by the Seminole County Fire Department.

Garner, with 25 years of experience, described the event as unprecedented. He continued to update residents on the tornado’s path, noting that it was not particularly powerful and traffic remained unaffected.