Quick-Hitting Bayport Twister Hops Ashore From Old Tampa Bay, NWS Says

A tiny twister spun out of Old Tampa Bay on Sunday evening and briefly tore through Tampa’s Villages of Bayport neighborhood before fizzling, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters say the circulation started as a waterspout over the bay, then moved onshore into Town 'N' Country, leaving behind a short but noticeable damage path. No injuries were reported, and most of the destruction was limited to a single pool cage, scattered debris and a toppled tree.

In a damage survey from the National Weather Service, the tornado was rated EF0 with estimated peak winds up to 79 mph. Survey details list a path length of 0.36 miles, a maximum width near 75 yards and a start time of about 6:58 p.m. EDT on May 24. The report specifically cites “damage to a single pool cage” and notes that residents shared images showing some additional minor damage nearby.

Damage and local reports

Tampa Bay 28 highlighted the NWS findings along with neighbor photos that show the twisted pool enclosure and small debris fields in the area. The outlet described the waterspout coming ashore around 7 p.m. and echoed the federal survey’s key point that, despite the surprise spin-up, there were no injuries.

How waterspouts become tornadoes in Tampa Bay

According to the NWS survey, thunderstorms developing along colliding sea-breeze boundaries briefly spun up a shallow mesocyclone over Old Tampa Bay. That circulation produced the waterspout that slipped onshore before the storm cell became outflow dominant and weakened.

Guidance from the NWS notes that waterspouts are common over Florida’s coastal waters and are treated as tornadoes once they move over land. When they do, they can cause short-lived, highly localized pockets of damage, much like what was seen in Bayport.

Safety takeaway

Even weak, brief tornadoes can loft dangerous debris, which is why federal guidance urges residents to stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio and local alerts and to move quickly to an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows when a warning is issued. Both the CDC and the NWS provide short, practical checklists for tornado preparedness and sheltering.

The National Weather Service cautioned that the survey’s findings are still preliminary and could be updated after further review. Finalized details will be published in the agency’s Storm Data records once that process is complete.