A Florida TV station found itself in the direct path of a tornado Monday morning, and its fearless meteorologist continued broadcasting even as the storm pummeled the studio and other staff sought cover.
The on-air personality, Brooks Garner, was tracking a Tornado Warning for Seminole and Volusia counties from Orlando’s Fox 35 studio when the twister appeared on a weather camera mounted outside the building.
“We could be looking at a tornado on camera,” Garner said as footage showed a white swirl barreling toward the station and trees whipping violently in the wind. Moments later, the tornado was on top of them.
“OK. Take shelter! Everybody in the Fox Studio 35 building get to your safe space,” he directed the studio staff as the debris is heard hitting the building. The camera, still rolling, captured a whiteout as wreckage flew sideways.
“This is a tornado! Seek shelter immediately,” Garner urged. “Get under your desks guys, anchors under the desks, everybody get under the desks.”
MAJOR #damage in the aftermath of earlier STRONG #tornado north of Orlando #Florida ( #FLwx ) Monday morning (March 10) #wx #wxsky (WESH )-TV: "....there's one room in this home standing and that's where the family was located during the storm" "Just unbelievable to see"
— Johnny K (@stormchaser4850.bsky.social) March 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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A 20-year meteorology veteran who has covered multiple hurricanes, Garner barely paused before switching back to live coverage, even taking a moment to alert the National Weather Service.
“National Weather Service, if you’re listening, this is a confirmed tornado right over the Lake Mary studios,” he reported, providing real-time tracking on air. As the storm moved on, he caught his breath and turned back to viewers, warning them to take cover.
“I’ve been doing this for a very long time—that’s the first time a tornado has hit me while I’m doing the weather,” he said. “Thank goodness for our facilities here at Fox 35 to keep us on the air and keep you apprised of the situation.”
The National Weather Service estimated that the tornado may have reached peak wind gusts of up to 115 mph, equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. The twister leveled two homes and shattered car windows outside the studio but caused no reported injuries.
National Weather Service has faced deep staffing cuts since Trump took office.
Around 1,300 employees at its parent agency, NOAA, have been laid off or resigned in recent weeks under Trump’s administration. Another 1,000 cuts have reportedly been ordered, despite warnings that gutting the agency will cripple its ability to issue life-saving forecasts.
