Severe Thunderstorm, Hail, Flooding & Possible Tornado Hits Volusia County

UPDATE: Kevin Captain, spokesperson for Volusia County, said that over 11,000 homes and businesses are without power.  "Duke Energy is mobilizing regional resources in the efforts to promptly restore power. County and city public works crews are clearing trees and roads," said Captain. "The American Red Cross is set up at the Lowes on International Speedway Boulevard in DeLand providing meals, water and tarps." The National Weather Service will be visiting the area on Wednesday (August 19th) to assess the damage and confirm tornadic activity. If confirmed, the NWS will rate the storm’s intensity using the Fujita Scale. The Florida Division of Emergency Management will also be sending an Incident Management Team to assist local authorities. Earlier reporting below. DeLand, FL – Emergency workers in Volusia County are tending to damage caused by a possible tornado that affected the Northern DeLand area. Early Tuesday morning (August 18th), the National Weather Service in Melbourne issued a forecast that called for an afternoon of scattered thunderstorms with "frequent lightning, wind gusts 50-60mph, hail, and downpours." Then in the afternoon, the NWS began issuing advisories for a strong thunderstorm with wind gusts up to 50 mph moving eastward over the Daytona Beach area. Warnings for severe thunderstorms and flooding then followed along later on in the day. At 4:05, the City of Deland shared a video to Twitter urging drivers to avoid the intersection of New York and Florida Avenue for flooding in the downtown area. Avoid New York Avenue at Florida Avenue. pic.twitter.com/4JQi8k5TSg— City of DeLand (@CityofDeLand) August 18, 2020 The video was also shared the same time a tornado warning was issued for most of north DeLand and the US-92 and I-4 areas of Volusia County. Half-an-hour after the warning was issued, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office began to share photos of storm damage in northern DeLand off of Pine Street.  New photos from @VolusiaSheriff shows significant storm damage suffered by residents in the Pine Street area of DeLand.If you see a downed power line, do not approach it, stay back and call 911. Do not drive over downed power lines and do not drive through flooded areas https://t.co/ukfcII7lZf— News Daytona Beach (@NewsDaytonaBch) August 18, 2020 The afternoon was then filled with multiple reports of downed power lines and trees throughout much of the northern DeLand. This also caused major traffic problems around the city as some roads were blocked by debris, flooding or workers tending to the damage. At one point, the City of DeLand tweeted for residents headed home from work to avoid northern DeLand. People traveling home from work need to avoid North DeLand. Multiple trees and power lines down. Photos taken in North Orange/North Adelle area. pic.twitter.com/3otyIaBHHd— City of DeLand (@CityofDeLand) August 18, 2020 Just before 6 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office set up a reunification spot for families off of Woodland Boulevard and International Speedway Boulevard. "We’ve been out checking on many residents who were understandably scared, distraught and shocked, but thankfully not injured. We have no reports of injuries or loss of life," said the Sheriff’s Office on Twitter. Flooding was also reported in other parts of Volusia County throughout the day, including New Smyrna Beach and multiple spots throughout the Ormond & Daytona Beach areas. Hail was also reported in parts of Daytona. A touchdown has yet to be confirmed by the National Weather Service, but they are asking residents to provide them with reports of storm damage – only if it is safe for them to do so. We will monitor the situation and provide updates as they come. Avoid storm damaged areas if possible. Do not approach downed power lines or flooded areas.