Where Was the Tornado in Florida Yesterday? On the evening of June 25, 2025, a powerful storm swept through Florida’s Gulf Coast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Pinellas County, specifically impacting the city of Largo and nearby Pinellas Park. This event, which occurred around 7:20 PM local time (23:20 UTC), caused significant damage to residential areas, particularly mobile home communities, and left thousands without power.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the details of where the tornado struck, the extent of the damage, and the broader weather context that led to this destructive event.
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The Tornado’s Path: Largo and Pinellas Park
The tornado struck primarily in Largo, a city located approximately 15 miles west of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast. According to the NWS storm survey, the tornado was rated EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with peak winds of 90 mph. It carved a path 2.11 miles long and 100 yards wide, remaining on the ground for approximately eight minutes. The storm’s impact was most severe in densely populated residential areas, including the Ranchero Village and Bay Ranch mobile home parks in Largo and Pinellas Park.
The tornado’s path began near Ulmerton Road, with initial reports of a debris ball indicating its formation. It moved through mobile home communities, causing significant structural damage. In Largo, approximately 20 homes had their roofs torn off, and debris was scattered across neighborhoods. Videos and photos shared on social media platforms captured the intensity of the storm, showing debris spiraling into the sky and a mobile home in Ranchero Village being lifted off the ground, its roof ripped away before it was slammed back down. Despite the widespread damage, no fatalities were reported, though one minor injury—a person with cuts on their face—was noted.
The Broader Weather Context
The tornado was part of a severe thunderstorm system that affected multiple areas of Florida on June 25. The Storm Prediction Center had forecasted showers and thunderstorms across the state, with a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms in west central and southwest Florida, including areas from Fort Myers to Sarasota. The NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning at the time, citing the potential for quarter-sized hail and damaging wind gusts. In Largo, hail the size of golf balls was reported, shattering windows and windshields and adding to the chaos.
Farther north, Tallahassee experienced its own severe weather, with walnut-sized hail pelting the city and strong winds shaking buildings. The setup for these storms was fueled by moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, creating conditions conducive to tornado formation. Meteorologist Austen Flannery from the NWS Tampa Bay office noted that the weather pattern was favorable for additional strong storms on June 26 and 27, potentially bringing more hail and gusty winds to the region.
Impact and Response
The tornado’s impact was immediate and significant. Over 6,000 customers in Pinellas County lost power due to downed trees and power lines. Emergency and utility crews worked through the night to restore electricity and clear debris from roadways, which were temporarily closed due to hazards. The NWS dispatched teams on June 26 to conduct a damage survey, confirming the tornado’s classification and assessing its track and intensity.
Social media posts from residents and weather enthusiasts painted a vivid picture of the storm’s ferocity. One user described the scene as resembling a “war zone,” with shrapnel-like debris launched into the air. Another shared images of toppled trees and damaged homes, emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of the event, characteristic of Florida’s sea-breeze tornadoes.
Florida’s Tornado Vulnerability
Florida’s high frequency of tornadoes—more per 10,000 square miles than any other state, including Oklahoma—makes events like this one less surprising in retrospect. The state’s tornadoes are often short-lived but can be destructive, especially when associated with tropical activity or sea-breeze collisions. While spring (February to May) typically sees the most powerful and deadly tornadoes, summer tornadoes, like the one in Largo, are common in June, July, and August. The 2024 hurricane season, which included Hurricane Milton spawning 46 tornadoes, underscored Florida’s vulnerability to such events.
Looking Ahead
As the NWS continues to analyze the Largo tornado, residents are urged to stay informed through weather alerts and prepare for potential additional storms. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of having a tornado safety plan, especially for those in mobile homes or low-lying areas. The NWS recommends moving to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building during a tornado warning.
In conclusion, the EF-1 tornado that struck Largo and Pinellas Park on June 25, 2025, was a stark reminder of Florida’s susceptibility to sudden and destructive weather events. While the damage was significant, the absence of fatalities is a testament to the effectiveness of early warnings and community preparedness. As Florida braces for more storms in the coming days, staying vigilant and informed will be key to ensuring safety.
Sources: National Weather Service, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, WeatherNation, Fox Weather