Possible tornado touches down near St. Augustine airport

Significant number of trees down near Vilano Beach

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A possible tornado or water spout touched down in St. Johns County Sunday night after 8 p.m.

The National Weather Service reported a storm report of a tornado or tornado-like damage on 4th Street North in St. Augustine. News4Jax was told the the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office was investigating downed power lines.

Patricia Butner, who lives on 2nd Avenue in Vilano Beach said that she was sitting on her porch with her husband when he grabbed her and pushed her through the front door.

“It sounded like the roof was coming off my house,” Butner said. “There are trees in the road, trees everywhere,”

Brian Gatchell, who lives near the St. Augustine airport on Ave. B. called it “the scariest situation ever.”

He also said he saw trees down near his home, but that there were no injuries on his block.

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In several streets adjacent to the airport, numerous trees were knocked down and large branches ripped from their trunks. Several others trees were damages with branches still clinging to the the trunks, but ready to fall again should a strong wind system return to the area.