Storm spotters keeping communities safe in tornado detection ‘dead zone’

FOX 35 News continues to dig into the tornado detection "dead one,” where minimal radar coverage is available to track severe storms. We are learning of a possible solution, although it doesn’t appear like it will be coming to central Florida anytime soon. That means storm spotters in the area will continue to play a critical role in the community.

NWS radar may not detect some tornadoes in North Central Florida

The National Weather Service admits its Doppler radar in Jacksonville, which is supposed to cover Marion County, was down for maintenance when an EF-1 tornado passed over Ocala this past weekend.

Marion County repairing damage from EF-1 tornado

The National Weather Service says the tornado touched down for 35 minutes with winds that peaked at 110 mph. The FOX 35 Storm Team Thunder Truck was out storm chasing that morning when our crew came face-to-face with the tornado.

Marion County repairing damage from EF-1 tornado
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It has been over 48 hours since an EF-1 tornado touched down in Dunnellon and Ocala. The National Weather Service (NWS) says the tornado touched down for 35 minutes with winds that peaked at 110 mph. The FOX 35 Storm Team Thunder Truck was out storm chasing that morning when our crew came face-to-face with the tornado.

Police searching for man accused of placing hidden camera in bathroom

Caught on camera – on his own hidden camera. Ocala Police have released a video of a man accused of trying to secretly record women inside a gas station restroom.

No charges for driver in crash that killed Marion County boy

Ja’siah Williams was hit by a car and killed last year while crossing County Road 318 in Marion County to get on his school bus, according to investigators.

Marion County firefighter back home after months in hospital fighting COVID-19

COVID-19 turned 51-year-old Chuck Westphal's life upside down. The Marion County firefighter spent nearly seven months in and out of the hospital battling an infection.

Arrest made in Leesburg homicide investigation

The Leesburg Police Department, working in conjunction with the Ocala Police Department, has arrested a Marion County teenager in connection with a homicide investigation in Leesburg.

Student injured in 2018 Ocala high school shooting files lawsuit

A student who was injured in a 2018 shooting at a Florida high school is seeking more than $30,000 in a lawsuit filed against the school district.