Florida TV Station Fox 35 Hit by Tornado During Live Broadcast

A tornado hit the Fox 35 TV station in Orlando, Florida, during live coverage on Monday morning. Meteorologist Brooks Garner urged his colleagues to seek shelter immediately as the EF2 tornado destroyed a home and damaged the studio. Garner said the tornado's unusual trajectory and wind speed caught him off guard, and the approaching jet stream dip may have contributed to the unexpected storm.

The Sunshine State was hit with an unexpected and powerful storm on Monday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. According to reports from the National Weather Service (NWS), an EF2 tornado touched down in Central Florida, causing damage to homes and businesses, including the Fox 35 TV station in Orlando [1].

The tornado's sudden and unusual trajectory took meteorologist Brooks Garner and his colleagues by surprise. Garner, who was delivering live updates on the tornado warnings for Volusia and Seminole counties, had to quickly urge his colleagues to seek shelter as the storm intensified. "We're catching debris right now on the roof," Garner said, adding, "Seek shelter immediately. Get under your desks, guys. Anchors, under your desks!" [1]

The storm's impact was felt beyond the TV station, with debris reportedly flying across Interstate 4 and into nearby neighborhoods such as Lake Mary and Sanford [1]. One home in Longwood collapsed during the storm, leaving two residents uninjured [1]. The NWS reported that it would conduct a survey of the area over the next few hours to determine the tornado's strength and whether it was indeed responsible for the damage.

The tornado's sudden arrival and unusual trajectory caught many off guard. According to Garner, the approaching jet stream dip may have contributed to the unexpected storm [1]. The NWS also warned that the tornado was part of a larger system that was expected to bring more severe weather to the region throughout the day [1].

The impact of the tornado on the Fox 35 TV station was brief but significant. The station's power flickered out during the storm, leaving viewers without live updates. However, staff members continued to work and assess the damage to their own studio. One employee shared a photo of damage to vehicles in the station's parking lot from the severe weather [1].

The tornado serves as a reminder of the importance of staying informed and prepared during severe weather events. The NWS encourages residents to monitor local weather reports and to have a plan in place for seeking shelter during tornado warnings.

References:
[1] "As powerful storms swept across Central Florida on Monday morning, an Orlando television station’s weather camera captured a possible tornado hitting the station." The New York Times, March 10, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/us/florida-tornado-orlando-tv-station.html