Sirens blared, phones buzzed and people across Tampa Bay hustled indoors Tuesday evening after a tornado warning lit up parts of Hillsborough and Manatee counties. Residents inside the warning area were urged to move to interior rooms on the lowest floor, stay away from windows and ride out the strong storms in sturdy shelter.
The National Weather Service office in Ruskin said the warning covered northwestern Manatee County and south-central Hillsborough County and was in effect until 6:00 PM EDT. Radar showed a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Parrish, about 11 miles northeast of Palmetto, moving north at roughly 15 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Local outlets and county officials echoed the call to take cover immediately as wireless emergency alerts and outdoor sirens cut through neighborhoods in the path. The Tampa Bay Times ran live updates while the warning was active and passed along guidance for people in Ruskin, Palmetto and nearby communities…