VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A line of thunderstorms that generated a potential tornado, flooding, and quarter-sized hail Tuesday caused signficant property damage in DeLand and power outages in Volusia County.
No deaths or significant injuries have been reported so far, authorities said.
The Red Cross has set up an assistance center in DeLand to aid the many families impacted there. Red Cross representatives handed out payment cards that displaced families can use to buy food and water or to rent a hotel room. They planned to be back Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET to help storm victims who need it. Those needing assistance should go to the Lowe’s on International Soeedway Boulevard on Wednesday.
A team from the National Weather Service in Melbourne will also head to DeLand on Wednesday morning to survey the damage. Team members will post a report on the NWS web page and social media accounts when they have completed an investigation of the track and intensity and determined whether it was indeed a tornado that hit the area.
Roofs were significantly damaged, and trees fell on top of homes and cars during the storm, which occurred at about 3:49 p.m. ET.
Some roofs have been severely damaged in the neighborhood. Tree crews are busy clearing roads and power lines. @MyNews13Weather @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/e044gAP1Rg
— Eric Mock (@EricMockTV) August 18, 2020
Three cars buried under debris caused by the storm. The homeowners can’t check on the cars because a power line is down. @MyNews13 #News13Volusia pic.twitter.com/83UqfxADzu
— Jesse Canales (@jescanal) August 18, 2020
A video of what looks like the formation of a possible tornado was captured.
Authorities in DeLand have set up a mobile recovery team and a reunificaition site on Woodland Boulevard to assist with clean-up and to help residents who have been displaced because of the storm.
Authorities also shut down parts of Woodland Boulevard because of the damage shown in these images by News 13's Nicole Griffin.
Significant storm damage along Woodland Blvd in Deland @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/X4JIUPxQHq
— Nicole Griffin (@NicoleNews13) August 18, 2020
Significant damage, including downed power lines, were visible on Alabama Avenue, as shown in this video from News 13's Caitlin Wilson.
More damage off of Alabama Ave here in Deland. A lot of downed power lines so if you are in the area please be careful @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/qgZzYhF0Vw
— Caitlin Wilson (@CaitlinWilsonTV) August 18, 2020
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood also tweeted some photos from damage at Pine Street in DeLand.
Significant storm damage, Pine St, DeLand pic.twitter.com/hj1NE7PvjM
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) August 18, 2020
Police also have blocked off Plymouth Avenue because of damage in that area.
Extensive damage off of Plymouth here in Deland. County crews and police on site multiple streets blocked off and HEAVY traffic in the area. @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/pIBqZGWjqg
— Caitlin Wilson (@CaitlinWilsonTV) August 18, 2020
At about 5 p.m. ET, Duke Energy was reporting more than 8,000 customers without power in the area.
The City of DeLand tweeted this video of flooding around New York Avenue at Florida Avenue.
Avoid New York Avenue at Florida Avenue. pic.twitter.com/4JQi8k5TSg
— City of DeLand (@CityofDeLand) August 18, 2020
We received this video of the storm on I-4 near DeLand.
WATCH: Hail falling along I-4 in DeLand during the tornado warning. We are getting reports of some damage in the city now. If you know of any damage in your area, safely send us a picture.
— Spectrum News 13 (@MyNews13) August 18, 2020
FORECAST for the rest of the evening: https://t.co/6tuZ7gi871 pic.twitter.com/wDx9O0gBCA