Hurricane Ian's winds continued to spawn tornado warnings over much of lower Southwest Florida Tuesday night with a half-dozen by 10 p.m.
The latest such warning was issued at 9:33 p.m. for southeastern Collier County when a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Big Cypress National Preserve, or 16 miles northeast of Everglades City, moving northwest at 35 mph.
That warning was set to expire at 10 p.m.
Another warning, set to expire at 9:45 p.m., affected southeastern Charlotte County and northeastern Lee County.
That warning was linked to a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado that was located over Charleston Park, or near Lehigh Acres, at 9:35 p.m. and moving northwest at 10 mph.
At 9:14 p.m. a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Royal Palm Hammock, or 10 miles northwest of Everglades City, moving northwest at 20 mph. That warning was set to run until 9:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service said the Marco Island Airport, Royal Palm Hammock and Port Of The Island could be affected.
At 8:51 p.m. a tornado warning was issued for northern Collier County and northwestern Hendry County until 9:15 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Felda, or 10 miles north of Immokalee, moving northwest at 20 mph.
Just minutes earlier another tornado warning was issued in west central Collier County until 9 p.m.
after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located at 8:27 p.m. near Naples, moving northwest at 20 mph.
Areas likely to be affected included Naples, Golden Gate Estates, Naples Park, the west toll gate on Alligator Alley and the Vineyards.
Earlier, a tornado warning was issued for southwestern Collier County shortly after 7 p.m. and expired at 7:30 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Copeland, or 9 miles north of Everglades City, moving northwest at 30 mph.
Southcentral Collier and north central mainland Monroe County were issued a tornado warning at 5:18 p.m. Tuesday after a tornado-producing storm was located near Loop Road, 21 miles east of Chokoloskee, moving north at 25 mph.
Radar confirmed the tornado.
A tornado watch was issued for portions of central and south Florida, effective Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, from 4:45 p.m. until 5 a.m. Counties included are Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto and Highlands, as well as the cities of Arcadia, Avon Park, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Naples, Placid Lakes, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and Sebring.
Occasional supercells and a few tornadoes will be possible this afternoon across south Florida and the Keys, and overnight into parts of central Florida.
A tornado warning means a tornado is on the ground. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
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