Manatee tornado watch in effect during Hurricane Milton. Here’s how to take shelter

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Life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds and flood-level rains aren’t the only dangers that Hurricane Milton is bringing to Florida on Wednesday.

Tornado watches and warnings are in effect across Florida, including one for Manatee County. The tornado watch for Manatee, which also includes nine other counties, is in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

According to the National Hurricane Center, you should do the following if a tornado is in the area:

• Be ready to shelter quickly, away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. Wednesday update, Hurricane Milton sits about 60 miles southwest of Sarasota in the Gulf of Mexico as a major Category 3 storm. It’s projected to make landfall near Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Paul Dellegatto, a meteorologist with FOX 13 in Tampa, said on X, formerly, Twitter, there have been more than 70 tornadoes reported as of Thursday afternoon.