Clearwater Storm Damage Widespread

CLEARWATER, FL — Damage assessments from storms that moved through the Clearwater area Thursday morning are starting to roll in as cleanup efforts get under way.

As of 10:35 a.m., Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews reported that the main areas damaged by a strong line of thunderstorms that spawned a tornado are to the west and north of the Eddie C. Moore Recreation Complex.

"There are multiple trees down and power lines were downed, as well," department spokesman Rob Shaw wrote in an email to media. "Duke Energy crews have been on scene as well this morning trying to remove downed power lines and restore power. Eddie C. Moore sustained some damage as well. A fence on the east side of the fields
was damaged, and a scoreboard was ripped out of the ground. Several soccer goals were tossed around like toys as well."

Residential streets affected by the storms include Grand View Avenue, Merrill Avenue, Hoyt Avenue, Moss Avenue and Brigadoon Drive, Shaw said.

Three townhomes along Brigadoon Drive were damaged . The Red Cross has been called in to assist residents in the damaged units. No injuries have been reported.

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado in Pinellas County. It remains unclear if it is responsible for the damage in Clearwater.

A possible tornado also touched down in the Port Richey area, causing damage to homes there, Pasco County officials have said.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates as they become available.

Photo courtesy of the City of Clearwater

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