Two early-morning tornadoes cause damage in Pinellas, Pasco counties

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Here's what you need to know about Thursday morning's weather:

BN9 weather experts confirm tornadoes touched down in Clearwater and Port Richey.

Damage was reported in several neighborhoods in the area, and power was knocked out in parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties. No injuries were reported.

Three tornado warnings were issued in the hours between 5 to 7 a.m. in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The heavy rain and strong winds moved east at about 30 mph, swinging through southern Pasco and northern Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

As a result of those storms, damage was reported in multiple neighborhoods, including heavy damage in Jasmine Estates in Pasco.

Power was also knocked out in Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Klystron 9 detected one of the tornadoes as it moved through Clearwater Thursday morning. The images were taken in "wind shear mode" and show the areas of high winds.

According to Pasco County officials, 30 homes and businesses were damaged, five of which had structural damage.

Pasco County reported:

A water spout near Ridge Road and Fox Hollow Road in New Port Richey.

Emergency crews received calls about storm damage in Regency Park area.

Damaged homes, debris in road and downed power lines were reported on Drexel Drive.

Damage was reported along U.S. 19 near Butch Road and Fox Hollow Road.

Trees were damaged and fences knocked down on Parrot Drive.

Lanais and sheds damaged on San Mateo Way and Sea Breeze Drive in Port Richey.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said the sheriff's office is assisting.

"Deputies are checking the area and assisting Fire Rescue and emergency services," Nocco said. "We're blessed that no one was hurt."

Pasco officials say anyone with property damage should call assistance line at 727-847-2411.

Damage and debris were also reported in multiple roads in the New Port Richey area.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department crews were on scene in the 3200 block of Brigadoon Drive for damage related to thunderstorms that swept through the area this morning. Multiple trees have fallen there, affecting town homes.

Three units have been damaged and the Red Cross is responding to assist those residents. No injuries have been reported.

"I went to the window and looked out and I see clouds spinning," said Shawn Callahan, who lives in one of the damaged townhouses. "And I look down and I see trees and branches flying all over the place. And then it came over the back of the house and it was over."

Other reports of damage include:

Large trees uprooted and power lines down near Eddie C. Moore Recreation Complex, located at 3050 Drew St.

Fence, scoreboard, soccer goals damaged at Eddie C. Moore Recreation Complex.

Large tree uprooted near McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater.

Damage reports at Grand View, Merrill, Hoyt and Moss avenues.

Clearwater Beach waterspout

As storms moved onshore in Pinellas County, the system also spawned a water spout for the Clearwater Beach area around 7 a.m.

"I watched the waterspout dip lower and lower until it came down near Sand Key," said resident Don Evans.

Two boaters who were caught in the storm a few miles off Tarpon Springs were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard at about 8 a.m. The boaters were apparently uninjured, but they were dealing with a sinking boat.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 2:35 PM with the headline "Two early-morning tornadoes cause damage in Pinellas, Pasco counties ."