A sudden burst of nature’s wrath struck Pinellas County on Wednesday afternoon as a confirmed tornado, accompanied by fierce winds and heavy hail, swept through Largo and nearby areas. The twister, verified by the National Weather Service, carved a short yet shocking path of destruction across homes and businesses. Emergency crews rushed in as startled residents faced shattered walls and flipped carports. Though property damage ran deep, no injuries were reported. Swift response teams continue to clear debris and restore calm to a day otherwise shaken by nature’s wild turn.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service in Largo, Florida

• Most severe damage occurred near Ulmerton Road and Ranchero Village mobile home park

• Pinellas Park Police confirmed no reported injuries; damage limited to property

• Emergency responders continue debris removal and restoration work

• Residents described terrifying scenes of homes shifting, carports flipping, and funnel clouds forming

• Hail, swirling clouds, and flying debris widely reported across Largo and Pinellas Park

A wave of severe thunderstorms swept across Pinellas County, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon, leaving behind significant damage after a confirmed tornado touched down near Largo. While no injuries have been reported, the storm system brought high winds, heavy hail, and widespread destruction to homes and businesses, triggering an extensive emergency response effort across multiple neighborhoods.

Authorities first began receiving reports of storm-related damage from the Pinebrook neighborhood, located in the heart of Pinellas Park. Responders rushed to the scene, where residents described intense wind and sudden devastation. According to a spokesperson for the Pinellas Park Police Department, early assessments suggested the damage was confined to residential and commercial property, with no immediate reports of fatalities or physical injuries.

“Our top priority is ensuring the safety of those impacted,” the spokesperson stated.
“Crews are working to clear debris, restore access to affected areas, and coordinate with utility providers as needed.”

By evening, the National Weather Service had confirmed that a tornado did indeed make contact with the ground near Ulmerton Road in Largo. This area, including the Ranchero Village mobile home park, experienced some of the most visible impacts of the storm. Largo Fire Rescue officials confirmed that multiple homes in the park had sustained considerable structural damage.

News Channel 8 reporters surveying the damage found one home with a wall shifted off its foundation—an unsettling image that reflected the raw power of the storm. Just blocks away, a carport had been torn from its place and flipped onto its side like a toy. Residents, still processing the aftermath, offered chilling firsthand accounts of the tornado’s arrival.

Steve Carlsen, a local resident, recalled witnessing the swirling funnel cloud in the sky, rapidly approaching his neighborhood.

“There was no dirt in this funnel cloud. It was just a wall of spiral,” Carlsen said.
“Within just a couple of minutes, it was right at my house here.”

Another resident, Rick Gilkes, said he and his two dogs were inside their home when the walls suddenly collapsed. He described the moment of impact with vivid urgency.

“I looked up and I saw the twister,” Gilkes said.
“I yelled ‘twister’ to a guy that was delivering packages.”
“When I hit the floor, my dogs hit the floor with me at the same time—and then it was like a bomb going off. This thing just blew up.”

Visuals sent in by viewers and residents from Pinellas Park captured swirling clouds and debris flying through the air, adding to the sense of panic as the storm unfolded. Some described the eerie sound of the wind, while others recounted the sudden drop in pressure and temperature just before the tornado appeared. In Largo, many residents reported hail pounding their rooftops, with some noting unusually large chunks.

As night fell, emergency crews remained active, conducting safety checks and assisting residents with temporary shelter and access needs. Utility teams worked alongside first responders to restore power and repair damaged infrastructure.

Despite the magnitude of the damage, officials emphasized that the absence of injuries was a relief. The event served as a reminder of how quickly severe weather can escalate, especially during Florida’s volatile summer storm season.