Thunderstorm Warning for Bartow, Fort Meade, Homeland

Residents in and around Bartow, Fort Meade, and Homeland sought shelter Thursday afternoon as a strong thunderstorm moved through the area. The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay issued a special weather statement at 3:59 p.m. EDT, warning of potential hazards including wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail.

Doppler radar detected the storm at 3:58 p.m. EDT, located about 13 miles north of Ona and 14 miles northwest of Wauchula. The storm moved eastward at 10 mph.

Gusty winds threatened to knock down tree limbs and move unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation from hail was also possible. The National Weather Service advised people outdoors to seek shelter inside a building.

This alert served as a reminder for residents in these Polk County communities to monitor changing weather. The National Weather Service tracked the storm's path through the affected areas. Residents were urged to check for further local weather updates.