Two killed in Florida thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms tore through central Florida early today, damaging homes, causing power outages and killing at least two people, authorities said.

Lake County sheriff’s spokeswoman Christie Mysinger confirmed the deaths but did not say how they occurred.

Mike Turner, a technician with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, said it appeared at least one fatality occurred in the Lady Lake area, northeast of Orlando.

“Radar indicated that there were tornadoes, but we’re going to send someone out to assess the damage and should know more this afternoon,” said Peggy Glitto, a weather service meteorologist.

About 20,000 customers were without power across a wide swath of central Florida, Progress Energy spokeswoman Cherie Jacobs said.

Florida Power & Light reported about 200 customers without power in the DeLand area.

The state Emergency Operations Centre was activated, said Mike Stone, spokesman at the state’s Department of Emergency Management.