A huge water storm that resembled a scene from a sci-fi movie ripped through Tampa Bay, Florida.
Joey Mole was in his house when a huge spiral of air and water emerged, rising from the clouds and pulling the water toward the sky.
Acting quickly, Mole reached for his iPhone to quickly snap breathtaking pictures and videos of the amazing water whirlwind.
Meteorologists across the country shared these spectacular photos of the moles on social media, and they quickly went viral. At first, several viewers wondered if the images were digitally altered or could be real.
However, after examining the original photographic data from the Mole, meteorologist Jesse Ferrell of AccuWeather.com concluded that the images were most likely genuine and stated that he was “95 percent confident that the photo is genuine”.
“When it happened, I was living at my parents’ house in Oldsmar, Florida, which winds into Safety Harbor (the northernmost tip of Tampa Bay),” Mole told Earthy Mission. “While we were watching the film, it wasn’t raining and there wasn’t a light wind. When I looked out the window, I noticed a small, narrow spout of water on the south side of the bay. Over time, it thickened into a funnel.”
He recorded everything on camera:
A gale over the sea or other large body of water creates rotating columns of water and sprays known as waterspouts. Although it is not uncommon for waterspouts to form over bodies of water, it is very rare for any of these forces to hit the ground. This one does though.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but before it disappeared for good, the strong vortex badly damaged a lot of local property.
The mole told our readers, “When the funnel approached, we hid in the closet.”
The funny thing is, even though I begged my father to let me out, he wouldn’t let me, hehe. Although this was my first encounter with a gargoyle, I found it to be a very fascinating sight and experience.
At a house two doors down, their 20-foot Johnboat was removed from the lake and placed on their back lawn after several shingles were blown off the roof.”
The Mole captured this footage of the waterspout approaching their home:
Seeing a waterspout of this size is extremely unusual. Joey Mole’s quick thinking and smartphone photography brought this amazing force of nature up close around the world.
This incident shows that while waterspouts can be fascinating to watch from a safe distance, they can also be extremely powerful and destructive when they hit land. Coastal residents should always pay attention to emergency warnings when the weather is bad.
The dramatic waterspout incident in Tampa Bay serves as both a riveting spectacle and a sobering reminder of the power of nature.
Joey Mole’s quick reactions and the stunning images he captured turned the extraordinary natural event into a viral sensation, allowing people far and wide to witness the beauty and fury of the water tornado.
While such phenomena may be awe-inspiring, the destructive potential they carry is just as significant, highlighting the need for caution in the face of severe weather.
Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the property damage is a clear reminder of the risks associated with extreme weather fluctuations. The mole’s experience illustrates the tension between fascination and fear; while he was eager to investigate the phenomenon up close, the safety measures taken by his family underscored the importance of prioritizing personal safety in dangerous conditions.Â
This incident not only highlights the unpredictable nature of weather but also the role of technology in capturing and sharing our experiences. Mole’s use of a smartphone to document the event allowed for real-time dissemination of information that could educate and inform others about the reality of such events.
As climate patterns and extreme weather events become more frequent, coastal communities must remain vigilant and prepared. Last but not least, the gargoyle serves as a striking example of nature’s beauty intertwined with its destructive potential, reminding us all to respect and heed the power of the elements.