SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – A Special Marine Warning is in effect for Sarasota and Gulf waters untill 3:45 p.m.on Tuesday, September 9, as a severe thunderstorm threatens to produce waterspouts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Tampa Bay Ruskin office reported radar detecting the storm at 2:59 p.m., located approximately 7 nautical miles southwest of Venice Inlet and moving east at 10 knots.
Waterspouts pose a significant danger to mariners, capable of capsizing vessels, causing damage, and generating unexpectedly large waves. The NWS advises boaters to seek secure locations and wear life jackets. The storm also carries the risk of wind gusts exceeding 34 knots, increased wave heights, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall.
The warning area includes Gasparilla Island, Englewood, Fort Myers Beach, Venice Inlet, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Venice, Big Sarasota Pass, Lynn Silvertooth Reef, captiva, Sanibel, and Don pedro Island, as well as numerous offshore reefs.
Anyone who captures photos or videos of waterspouts or other weather events is encouraged to submit them to WWSB’s ShareIt Page for potential broadcast or online publication.
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