Storm Hits Florida

Storms have hit middle Florida and it is reported that at least 14 people have been killed at this time. A state of emergency has been declared in the certain counties that were hit. A news reported says that for disasters like this, it is best that everyone stays in their homes and people do not travel around the damaged areas as spectators. This is because it hasn't yet been assessed which areas are "hot," or dangerous. Electrical lines are down and there is risk of coming in contact.

The storm, which developed small tornadoes, came at the worst time; while residents were sleeping. The tornadoes were believed to have developed in Sumter County around 3 a.m. in the morning. CNN.com reports that "weather services in Melbourne and Tampa provided at least 8 to 15 minutes of warning ... before the tornado touched down." Tornado warnings continued until 10:15 a.m. in the morning.

The total amount of damage has not yet been stated but it is believed to be very large. "Progress Energy spokeswoman Cherie Jacobs told The Associated Press that about 20,000 customers were without power throughout a large area of the state's midsection." Trees and power lines are down and parts of houses have been found up in trees still standing.

Republican 770 AM stated that people are proactive in the area and are doing their best at this moment in the rescue mission. They also compared it to Hurricane Katrina saying that people in Florida are not complaining that the government is not acting. They are responding to the disaster and coming together.

I hope that the total count is not much larger than presently stated. And it is unfortunate for the families that have lost loved ones in that area. Working at a Condominium that has numerous residents down in their 2nd home in Florida at the moment, I only hope that no one I know was hurt.

UPDATE: Death toll hit 19.