Funnel Cloud Seen Over Lake Wales, Area Remains Under Tornado Watch - Tropical Storm Debby Expected to Become Hurricane Today

Robert Connors

This funnel cloud was visible for several as it passed over the downtown area of Lake Wales. No touchdown was confirmed, although the area remains under a tornado watch.

Heavy squalls passing through the Lake Wales area early Sunday afternoon generated a funnel cloud that hovered over Lake Wales. If was unconfirmed if it had touched the ground at any point during its south-to-north passage over the city, although there were numerous reports of very strong wind bursts from north of Crooked Lake to the city's north side.

The squalls are part of the right flank of Tropical Storm Debby, which is intensifying over the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warnings are flying for most of Florida's west coast. A Tornado Watch is up for most of the Florida peninsula, and warnings have been raised for several individual cities and towns due to fast spin-up rotations detected by Doppler radar.

Robert Connors

The funnel cloud gradually moved away from the city in the direction of Eagle Ridge Mall, No damage reports have been received at this time.

Official forecasts predict that Polk County and the Ridge area can expect two to four inches of rain from the system, with the bulk of that falling during the passing squalls of "feeder" bands. Residents should be alert for rapidly-changing conditions as the individual storm cells race northward, often generating strong downburst winds and very heavy rains.