Lake Thonotosassa Tornado - July 8, 2003

Outflow boundaries from prior storms in eastern Manatee and southwestern Pasco counties collided over eastern Hillsborough County, and soon after a rotating thunderstorm formed near Thonotosassa just before 630 PM EDT. Minutes later, a slow moving tornado developed just east of Thonotosassa. The tornado, first spotted at 635 PM, was more than 100 yards wide at it's peak, and traveled 2.2 miles before dissipating at 647 PM.

The tornado started near the end of Collins Ranch road and traveled north across Thonotosassa road at the county park and boat ramp. the tornado then continued north into the southeast corner of Lake Thonotosassa, where it became stationary and "sucked up boat loads of water" according to one eyewitness. The tornado then came back onshore and headed north, just west of Hendry Ranch Road before dissipating a short time later.

Most of the damage from the tornado occurred at the end of Collins Ranch Road where several light structures were destroyed and trees were snapped off at the base and thrown. A nearby house only lost a few shingles. Boaters on Lake Thonotosassa were able to view the tornado near the eastern shore. Finally, a large piece of sod was stripped off the shore and was found floating in the lake.

City of Plant City City of Tampa City of Temple Terrace Apollo Beach Bloomingdale
Boyette Brandon Cheval Citrus Park Dover
East Lake-Orient Park Egypt Lake-Leto
Fish Hawk Gibsonton Greater Carrollwood
Greater Northdale Greater Sun Center
Keystone Lake Magdalene Lutz Mango
Palm River-Clair Mel Pebble Creek
Progress Village Riverview Ruskin Seffner
Thonotosassa Town 'n' Country University
Valrico Westchase Wimauma Balm
Carrollwood Clair-Mel City Del Rio
East Lake East Tampa Egypt Lake Fort Lonesome Gulf City Hopewell Keysville
Knights Lithia Northdale Sun City Center
Trapnell Turkey Creek

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Lake
• Thonotosassa
• Hillsborough
• County
• Florida
• Tornado
• Damage
• july
• 2003
• legend813

[buckeyes2378]

I live walking distance from the lake....... been through 3 waterspouts on that lake..... i hate cleaning up afterwards

[iJanessa70812980]

i live in florida and that was my bday

[coolstephen2007]

I live there