Community Corner

'Wet Tornados' More Common Than You Think

Florida actually is a hot spot for water spouts, with the Florida Keys experiencing 500 a year.

A recent spate of water spouts in the waters off the coast of Gulfport and Pinellas County, Florida, has surprised many locals, who are taking cell phone photos and videos of the weather phenomena. (See some of those photos with this article.)

The most dramatic water spout activity occurred in the waters off of downtown Gulfport on June 6, when the funnel cloud made landfall and uprooted a tree. (See Radar Shows Tornado Near Gulfport.)

Water spouts actually are a common occurrence in the Sunshine State, reports NBC News.

Find out what's happening in Gulfportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Florida is a magnet for these wet tornados," according to an NBC news.

The Florida Keys ranks as the No. 1 location in the U.S. for water spouts, with as many as 500 per year. 

Find out what's happening in Gulfportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

No. 2 is the area of Homestead (just north of the Keys) to Stuart, on Florida's east coast.

NOAA senior scientist Joseph Golden told USA TODAY that if boaters ever  observe a water spout forming in the distance, they should drive at right angles away from the funnel cloud. If that's not possible, he said it might be better to dive overboard and swim underwater than to be caught in the flying debris of a "wet tornado."

"If you dive before one hits, I think you'll be OK," Golden told USA TODAY.

Check out some of the recent photos of "wet tornados" in the Tampa Bay area.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Gulfport