Another day of strong storms, with thunderstorms getting off to an early start, especially in Orange and Seminole counties. And it doesn't look like the rain will let up over the next few days.
The downpours are leading to more fallen trees. A woman had to be rescued in Maitland Wednesday afternoon because a tree toppled onto her car.
Carmen Bissondial was eating lunch in the park and tried to drive away but wasn’t quick enough. It happened at Lake Lilly Park, at Maitland Avenue and 17-92, in Maitland. She was trapped in her car for almost half an hour.
Bissondial is okay, but a bit shaken up.
“I just started screaming and I tried right away to get out but I couldn’t get out of any of the doors,” said victim Carmen Bissondial.
The force of the wind felt like she was on a roller coaster. But Bissondial was still sitting in her Toyota Camry. She was too nervous to dial the phone but did the next best thing. “I’m texting people and I’m emailing people, ‘Hey, help me!’”
After waiting 20 minutes, she was rescued. The irony in all of this is that Bissondial rarely, if ever, leaves the office for lunch. “I’m very thankful,” exclaims Bissondial.
And she was still able to drive her car away.
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Damage from Tuesday's severe storms
Wednesday's round of thunderstorms comes one day after storms left damage behind in Orange and Volusia counties.
A large tree came crashing down in Orlando's College Park neighborhood, at a home on Sheridan Boulevard, blocking the road.
Homeowners said they heard a large crash around 4 p.m. Tuesday. When they looked outside, they saw the tree with its roots ripped out of the ground.
Rory Shelby, the homeowner's son, said thankfully nobody was injured.
"It's sad," Shelby said. "We thought it was probably going to come down eventually. But it's sad to see that finally bit the dust."
Meanwhile, a bolt of lighting was blamed for igniting a two-alarm fire that displaced 71 residents at an east Orange County apartment complex.
Farther north, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported damage, including downed trees and power lines, throughout DeLand, Deltona and Lake Helen. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the northwestern portion of the county just before 5 p.m.
Lake Helen crews are cleaning up after a storm damaged several homes, cars and part of a park.
Thomas and Phyllis Aton’s 100-year-old home, was one of the worst hit. The house was built in 1909, it's located in Lake Helen's Historic district.
Tuesday night's powerful winds snapped a large water oak in half, and left one half-standing.
The rest came crashing down onto the historic home.
The couple was not home when the storm rolled through, because, Thomas is in the hospital waiting to have heart surgery.
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Forecast: A look ahead
Mild and muggy conditions are in the forecast with low temperatures in the lower to middle 70s. Today will feature another 60 percent chance for rain with increased moisture in place. The cloud cover again should help regulate the temperatures some; plan on highs hovering around 90 degrees with numerous afternoon showers and strong thunderstorms.
The weather won’t deviate far from this pattern into the start of the weekend. Days will begin warm and humid with hazy sunshine leading to increasing afternoon clouds and scattered storms. Highs will consistently be at or slightly above 90 degrees. Overnight lows will run in the low 70s. There are signs of slightly drier air working in by Sunday into the start of next week, which may lower the coverage of afternoon storms to isolated during that time.
In the Atlantic, high pressure is governing much of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, keeping things quiet there.
Catch your Tropical Updates at :21 and :51 past each hour on News 13.
