Classes are canceled in Citrus County on Thursday after the county was hit by severe weather overnight, including at least one tornado which was confirmed by the National Weather Service.
Strong storms moved across the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night into Thursday morning and left damage and debris strewn across several counties. A second tornado was confirmed by the NWS in Pinellas County.
The school district said teams will assess the schools, determine the full scope of damage, and release more information at that time. All extracurricular activities were also canceled Thursday.
Several roads are closed as first responders assess the storm damage.
As crews work to clear the area, deputies are redirecting traffic at the following locations:
- Northbound traffic on Highway 19 will be rerouted down W Venable St., to N Dunkenfield Ave., to Highway 44.
- Westbound traffic on Highway 44 will be rerouted north onto Turkey Oak Dr., onto Highway 19.
The sheriff's office said the following roads are closed due to down power lines, trees and flooding.
- Fort Island Trail and Three Sisters Springs Trail intersection
- NE 9th St., 8th St., and 1st St., in the Copeland Park area
- Crystal Street near the intersection of W Balloon Lane
- SE 8th Terrace
- Ozello Trail and Winterset Avenue intersection
- Whitewater Terrace and Turkey Oak intersection
The sheriff's office is asking people to avoid all of downtown Crystal River.
Crystal River Mayor Joe Meek said early Thursday morning it appeared at least one tornado moved through the heart of the city.
"Unofficially it looks like the tornado traveled somewhere off of Fort Island Trail, and went north east, crossing US 19, and heading through the Copeland Park area," Meek said on Facebook.
Meek said there is extensive damage to homes, apartment buildings and businesses.
Video shows the damage along U.S. 19 in Crystal River early Thursday morning.
