Key Points:

• Meteorologist Brooks Garner warned colleagues live on air as a tornado struck the Fox 35 Orlando studio.
• The tornado carved a path through Central Florida, causing a collapsed home but no injuries were reported.
• Garner provided urgent safety instructions and remained on air despite the severe conditions.

Powerful storms swept through Central Florida on Monday morning, culminating in a tornado that hit the Fox 35 Orlando studio live during a broadcast. Meteorologist Brooks Garner was actively reporting on tornado warnings for Volusia and Seminole counties when he observed the dangerous conditions approaching. “Take shelter!” he urged his colleagues, instructing them to get under their desks, the designated safe zones in such emergencies. The situation escalated quickly, as Garner noted, “We’re catching debris right now on the roof.” As debris flew across Interstate 4 near Lake Mary, he underscored the severity of the moment, confirming to viewers, “This is a real, live tornado. It just hit our station,” as power flickered off.

The incident was alarming, though it lasted only about a minute. Afterward, Garner assured his coworkers to remain cautious as they were still within a debris zone. He issued further warnings to the communities of Lake Mary and Sanford, advising residents to avoid windows and seek shelter within interior rooms on ground level. “This is a very serious situation,” he cautioned. Garner, reflecting on his experience, mentioned it was the first time a tornado had struck while he was on air. “I’ve been doing this for a very long time, and thank goodness for our facilities here at Fox 35 to keep us on the air and keep you apprised of the situation,” he said.

Preliminary findings from the National Weather Service indicated that the tornado carved an approximately 1.8-mile path through the Longwood area of Seminole County and may have reached EF-2 strength, with winds of up to 115 mph. Although damage occurred, with reports including a house collapse in Longwood, there were no injuries. The Seminole Fire Department collaborated with the sheriff’s office to assess the aftermath and clear debris from affected areas. This incident exemplifies the unpredictable nature of severe weather in Florida and the critical importance of timely warnings.

For more information on the tornado incident, visit Times of India and HuffPost.