SARASOTA, Fla. — The Sarasota Police Department shared video of a tornado hitting Sarasota on Wednesday afternoon.
The video was taken around 2:15 p.m.
The tornado destroyed the roof of Alvis Industries. The business builds custom kitchens, furniture and cabinets.
It is located on 10th Street in Sarasota. Six people were inside when the tornado hit.
"I knew it was a tornado because you could hear it and then it got so windy and the roof went up. Once it went up, dropped it and came back down and that's what busted everything," said James Alvis.
Video of a possible tornado was captured around 2:15p today, north of our HQs, by our Network Administrator, David Hubbard. We have Officers who have responded to the 2000 blk of 10th St for reports of damage. No injuries reported. @NWSTampaBay @Suncoastweather @SNNTV #FLwx pic.twitter.com/1Q5WF1EqUV
— Sarasota Police Department (@SarasotaPD) March 16, 2022
The National Weather Service said a preliminary damage assessment is EF-1 with winds of 90 miles per hour and was on the ground for about 45 seconds.
"It got really loud from the wind coming in the back door...with it being a wood shop, there was sawdust flying everywhere," said Alvis.
Pictures taken by Sarasota Police showed trees down across the road and damage to roofs in the area of the tornado touchdown.
Sarasota Emergency Management said there were no injuries reported due to the tornado and listed damage in the following areas:
- Three blocks north of the 2000 block of Adams Lane, reported around 2:28 p.m.
- The area of Fruitville Road and East Ave., reported around 2:30 p.m.
- The 2100 block of 10th St., reported around 2:28 p.m.
- The 2300 block of Margaret St., reported around 2:37 p.m.
- The 1100 block of N. Lime Ave., reported around 2:49 p.m.
