This week, a fierce tornado took residents of a retirement community in Largo, Pinellas County, Florida, by surprise. The tornado was so powerful that it uprooted a mobile home with a 76-year-old woman inside. Fortunately, the elderly woman sustained only minor injuries. The dramatic incident was captured by a Ring camera, and the footage has spread widely across social media, causing widespread astonishment.
Ranchero Village Tornado Strikes Amidst Night of Chaos
On Wednesday evening, the skies over Pinellas County became ominously active. Despite the National Weather Service issuing only a "marginal risk" warning for severe weather, a tornado touched down around 7:00 p.m. near Ulmerton Road, directly impacting the Ranchero Village and Bay Ranch mobile home parks.
In mere seconds, the tornado ripped a mobile home from its foundation in Ranchero Village. Inside, a 76-year-old woman and her cat experienced terrifying moments. The home was lifted into the air by the forceful winds of the tornado and then crashed back to the ground.
Miracle Amidst the Rubble
Against all odds, the woman survived. Witness and neighbor Tracey McClelland recounted, "She was standing, shaking, calling for her cat" when found in front of what remained of her home. McClelland, who watched from her window as the tornado lifted her neighbor's house, described the scene with emotion: "I saw it rise into the air. I grabbed my dog and took cover. It all happened so fast, but you knew it was serious."
Once the danger had passed, McClelland went to check the damage and found the elderly woman disoriented but conscious. "I kept telling her, 'The Lord saved you. Look at your house.' You only have a few scratches. The Lord truly watched over this woman and saved her," McClelland added, visibly moved.
The woman was treated by emergency services and taken to her daughter's home, also in Largo. She did not require hospitalization, though she was deeply shaken emotionally. Her greatest distress: her cat remains missing.
Material Damage and Emergency Response
Largo Fire Rescue confirmed that at least 50 structures were damaged in Ranchero Village, with another 15 affected in Bay Ranch. Both communities are predominantly home to elderly retirees living in mobile homes, structures particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
While the tornado was brief, its impact was devastating. Duke Energy reported that approximately 6,400 customers lost power after the event, as cleanup and debris removal crews worked through the night to restore normalcy. The Fire Department quickly activated emergency protocols, and thankfully, no fatalities or severe injuries were reported.
National Weather Service Investigates Tornado's Strength
The tornado's category has not yet been determined. Teams from the National Weather Service are conducting field inspections to classify its intensity based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. While the agency confirmed the event was indeed a tornado, its path and maximum wind speed remain unknown.
What is certain is that this phenomenon occurred in a region still recovering from the effects of Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Florida Tornado
What areas were affected by the tornado in Pinellas County?
The tornado directly impacted Ranchero Village and Bay Ranch mobile home parks in Largo, Pinellas County.
How was the tornado documented?
The tornado was captured on camera by a Ring device, and the footage has been widely shared on social media.
What was the extent of the damage caused by the tornado?
Approximately 50 structures in Ranchero Village and 15 in Bay Ranch were damaged, and around 6,400 customers experienced power outages.