Anyone there now? 3/24

[conniehar90]

We were there this morning and left mid afternoon. We had just gotten on the expressway when the tornado warning came on saying to take cover at Universal! Winds and rain were crazy! We were wondering what they would do with everyone! Hope everyone is safe!

 

[damo]

Doesn't sound like a tornado went through but sounds like some power was out.

 

[atricks]

I didn't see a tornado, but it was very severe with the winds, tree fell on our neighbors' place (nobody was home). I went out around our immediate area a bit, various signs, trees, fences knocked down, and the big banner on rip-ride rock-it is torn to shreds. But overall nothing huge (other than our neighbor) We live across the street (vineland) from the studios.

 

[phamton]

All is well here at Universal and IOA. No wind damage and no power outages. Coasters shut down for high winds and lightning but most are up now.

 

[damo]

People on twitter saying RRR banner blown down again

from pcrewinparadise

Citywalk got blown around a bit.

 

[andyman8]

People on twitter saying RRR banner blown down again

Citywalk got blown around a bit.

Apparently, a tornado hit near UOR?

 

[damo]

Drive into PBH from pcrewinparadise

Sounds like WDW got some flooding and downed branches as well.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I was at Universal today when the storm hit. The winds were intense but luckily I was inside I came home to a tree blocking half the road into my neighborhood and some street flooding, some traffic lights were out... Crazy! Totally unexpected, but that's Florida for ya!

 

[ks13]

Lots of damage threw out central FL. They are saying 100 traffic intersections had no lights in Orlando, hail north of Tampa, power lines down in clermont, it's that time of year. It looks like straight line winds hit areas of Orlando/central FL, I can say that line stretched to just north of Tampa, and I was driving in it, not pretty at all.

 

[phamton]

Apparently, a tornado hit near UOR?

Not a tornado. That is just what happens when you get wind gusts of up to 60 MPH. Those are just umbrellas and tables, no damage.

 

[xApril]

Pretty crazy stuff. I was working when it started up and it was pretty terrible. It was a bad day to forget my umbrella in the car...

Power at my house was out for about four hours and various lights on the way home weren't working either.

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, I'm glad to hear that the damage wasn't severe. I heard that there was some and I pictured all kinds of possibilities.

It's even more amazing that no one was hurt. Apparently there are quite a few trees down all over.

 

[Metro West]

I live about 20 minutes north if the park and it was pretty intense in my neighborhood. I didn't see any trees down but my power and cable went off several times during the afternoon. It was the strongest storm in quite a while...at least in my area.

 

[BamaPrincess]

I was eating a really late lunch when it hit the park, my phone said there was a tornado warning and people scrambled to get inside. It appeared to be bad for a short time and a lot of rides were temporarily Closed. I honestly didn't realize it was that bad until later as the park seemed fine and Universal never made any attempt to notify people we were under a warning.

 

[damo]

A few more pics here ... http://behindthethrills.com/2013/03/spring-storms-rip-through-central-floridas-theme-parks/

Really not much at all.

 

[andyman8]

Not a tornado. That is just what happens when you get wind gusts of up to 60 MPH. Those are just umbrellas and tables, no damage.

Really? I've seen a couple news outlets (like WESH) report that they was a brief and small touchdown near the area. There's a thread on WDWMAGIC about it too. Not saying I don't trust you (you live in Orlando so you know better than any of us) but have you heard these reports?

 

[damo]

Really? I've seen a couple news outlets (like WESH) report that they was a brief and small touchdown near the area. There's a thread on WDWMAGIC about it too. Not saying I don't trust you (you live in Orlando so you know better than any of us) but have you heard these reports?

Orlando Sentinel said today that there were no confirmed touchdowns.

 

[andyman8]

Orlando Sentinel said today that there were no confirmed touchdowns.

Typical WESH...