North Florida hammered by storms

North Florida hammered by storms

Storms pounded the north Florida area Wednesday as a line of severe thundershowers marched from the Gulf to Jacksonville over the course of the day. Numerous reports of storm damage was reported from downed trees to extensive power outages. The whole area including parts of 

southeastern Georgia remained under a severe thunderstorm warning and tornado watch for most of the day.

At 1:25 p.m. Madison Emergency Management reported a major power outage in Madison, Jefferson and Taylor counties. They also had numerous trees down with some blocking roadways.

By 2:00 the storm had moved into Columbia County. Trees were reported down along State Road 6 and near the agricultural station. Baker County emergency personnel were called out for downed trees and power lines included a fire started by tree limbs on power lines near Gaskins Circle in Sanderson.  A falling tree damaged a house in the Miltondale area.

Multiple reports of storm damage came from Nassau County communities. A large weeping willow tree was uprooted at 10 Aviation Lane at the FAA Center and a large tree is reported on a house on Orange Street in Hilliard. Unofficial reports of a tornado in the area have not been verified.

Duval County reported wind gusts of 52 MPH were measured at Craig Field and 49 MPH at Cecil Commerce Center. Emergency Management reported numerous powerlines down over the eastern half of Duval County. JEA reports more than 41,000 thousand customers were without power.