Waterspout filmed off Mexico Beach Monday
A Mexico Beach resident captured footage of a waterspout on Monday morning during a line of thunderstorms that produced marine warnings throughout the Florida panhandle.
Shelley Willis Burch posted the moment in a local Facebook group, where the video has since been shared more than 70 times.
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Waterspouts, columns of wind and water, are relatively common during thunderstorms in the panhandle. They are normally weaker than tornadoes and tend to dissipate quickly after they make landfall.
The National Weather Service issued a special marine warning for the area that was in effect until 8:45 a.m., citing that waterspouts were possible.
Steep waves and heavy rip currents were also reported. Red flag warnings have been issued at most local beaches, and beachgoers are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when in or near the water.
At this time, the Star is not aware of any reported damage. This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
Meet the Editor
Wendy Weitzel, The Star’s digital editor, joined the news outlet in August 2021, as a reporter covering primarily Gulf County.
Prior to then, she interned for Oklahoma-based news wire service Gaylord News and for Oklahoma City-based online newspaper NonDoc.com during her four years at the University of Oklahoma, from which she graduated in May with degrees in online journalism and political science.
While at OU, Weitzel was selected as Carnegie-Knight News21 Investigative Fellow among 30 top journalism students from around the country. She also was senior editor managing a 12-person newsroom in coordination with Oklahoma Watch, a non-profit news organization in eastern Oklahoma.