A powerful tornado caught the residents of a retirement community in the city of Largo, in Pinellas County, Florida, by surprise this week, even tearing away a mobile home occupied by a 76-year-old woman.
Fortunately, the elderly woman only suffered minor injuries.
The shocking moment was captured by a Ring camera, and the footage, which is already widely circulating on social media, has created a stir.
A Night of Chaos: The Tornado Strikes Ranchero Village
On Wednesday night, the skies over Pinellas County became dangerously active.
Although the National Weather Service had only issued a "marginal risk" warning for severe weather, a tornado touched down around 7:00 p.m. in the Ulmerton Road area, directly impacting the mobile home parks Ranchero Village and Bay Ranch.
In a matter of seconds, the weather phenomenon ripped a trailer from its foundations in Ranchero Village. Inside, a 76-year-old woman and her cat experienced moments of true terror.
The structure was literally lifted by the wind and propelled by the powerful tornado winds, before crashing abruptly to the ground.
The miracle among the rubble
Against all odds, the woman survived.
According to the neighbor and eyewitness Tracey McClelland, "she was standing there, shaking, calling for her cat" when she was found in front of what remained of her house.
McClelland, who watched from the window as the tornado lifted his neighbor’s house, described the moment dramatically: “I saw it rise into the air. I grabbed my dog and we took shelter. It all happened so quickly, but you knew it was serious.”
As soon as the danger passed, he went out to assess the damage and found the elderly woman disoriented but conscious.
“I repeated to him over and over: ‘The Lord has saved you. Look at your house’. You only have a few scratches. The Lord really took care of this woman and saved her,” added McClelland, visibly moved.
The woman was treated by emergency services and transferred to her daughter's home, who also resides in Largo.
No hospitalization was needed, although she was deeply affected emotionally. The main source of distress: her cat has still not been found.
Property damage and emergency response
Largo Fire Rescue confirmed that at least 50 structures were affected in Ranchero Village and another 15 in Bay Ranch.
Both communities are primarily inhabited by elderly individuals, many of whom are retirees living in mobile homes, structures that are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Although the tornado was brief, its impact was devastating. Duke Energy reported that nearly 6,400 customers lost electricity after the event, while cleanup and debris removal crews worked overnight to restore normalcy.
The Fire Department immediately activated its emergency protocols. Fortunately, no deaths or serious injuries were reported.
The Meteorological Service is investigating the magnitude of the tornado
The tornado's category has not yet been determined.
Teams from the National Meteorological Service have been conducting field inspections to classify their intensity based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The agency confirmed that the event was a tornado, but its path and maximum wind speed are unknown.
What is clear is that this phenomenon occurred in a region that has yet to recover from the impact of hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tornado in Florida and Its Impacts
What happened during the tornado in Largo, Florida?
A tornado swept away a trailer with a 76-year-old woman inside in the retirement community Ranchero Village in Largo, Florida. Despite the severity of the event, the woman only sustained minor injuries.
What damages were caused by the tornado in Pinellas County?
At least 50 structures in Ranchero Village and 15 in Bay Ranch were affected. The tornado also caused power outages that impacted approximately 6,400 customers. Emergency crews worked to restore normalcy.
What emergency measures were taken after the tornado in Largo?
The Fire Department activated emergency protocols, and although no deaths or serious injuries were reported, emergency services took care of those affected and secured the damaged areas.
How is the magnitude of a tornado determined?
The magnitude of a tornado is classified using the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which assesses the intensity of the tornado based on observed damage. Teams from the National Weather Service conduct field inspections to determine the tornado's category.
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