Several People Sustain Minor Injuries, Many Airplanes Damaged Or Destroyed

ANN Breaking News 03.31.2011 1600 EDT: The severe weather which has been raking Central Florida for the past two days has severely damaged or destroyed several airplanes at the Sun 'n Fun airshow being held at Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland Florida. There were reports of about half a dozen minor injuries as well.

Photo Credit Nate Calvin

The storm, which struck the airport Thursday afternoon, may have spawned a tornado. At least one exhibitor tent was blown down during the storm, and many airplanes were flipped over as winds reportedly gusted as high as 90 miles per hour. Media reports indicate that seven people were taken to a nearby hospital with mostly minor injuries, however one person suffered a broken hip, according to a report from WTSP in Tampa, FL.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that meteorologists say at least four tornadoes touched down in Polk county during the height of the storm. It is not immediately know whether a tornado caused the damage at the airport.

Tornado warnings have dominated
state forecasts for days

EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski told ANN that the show was being closed for the remainder of the day, and that visitors were being asked to leave the airport. The National Weather Service indicates that severe weather is forecast for Central Florida through Thursday afternoon, with improving weather forecast for Friday and the weekend.

Additional details will be available on this story as it develops.

FMI: www.lakelandairport.com