Tornado warning issued for northwestern Sarasota County
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning shortly after 8 p.m. Monday for northwestern Sarasota County.
The tornado warning will remain in effect until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Quarter-sized hail is possible.
⚠️ Take Cover! Tornado Warning including Venice FL, Fruitville FL, Laurel FL until 9:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/XXSYwTuElz
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) March 14, 2017
The severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was spotted about 18 miles from Sarasota, according to the National Weather Service.
Other locations impacted by the warning include Osprey, Gator Creek Estate, Hidden River, Vamo, Nokomis, Fruitville, Laurel, Turtle Beach, Oscar Scherer State Park and Bee Ridge, according to the National Weather Service.
It is recommended that those in the area take cover in an interior room on the lowest floor of a building and stay away from windows, according to the National Weather Service.
TBW issues Tornado Warning for Sarasota [FL] till 9:00 PM EDT https://t.co/7RQZpU7OJS
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) March 14, 2017
A special marine warning is also in effect until 8:45 p.m.
This story was originally published March 13, 2017 at 8:32 PM with the headline "Tornado warning issued for northwestern Sarasota County."