26 April 2023 , 20:57
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Disney World is set to be hit by severe storms with hailstones as wide as three inches in diameter.
Winds are expected to get up to almost 60mph in Florida with even a few tornadoes possible.
The National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida, has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Walt Disney World Resort area.
The warning covers Southern Lake County, Southwestern Orange County and Northwestern Osceola County, all in east central Florida.
A particularly brutal thunderstorm was located near Lake Louisa moving southeast.
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
People living in the areas of Kissimmee, Bay Lake, Celebration, Intercession City and Four Corners, have been told to expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles as hailstones the size of golfballs rain down.
The areas facing a high risk of storms (WESH 2)Winds of up to 60mph could also damage roofs, siding, and trees.
A sinister warning read: "People and animals outdoors will be injured."
The warning runs until 5.45pm local time (ET).
WESH meteorologist Eric Burris said: “It's essential to be weather aware and have ways to be warned as the afternoon could get quite rough."
Rain batters Orlando, Florida (AFP via Getty Images)The paper's chief meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, said: "There is the risk for hailstones 2-3 inches in diameter today! The threat time is from 2-9 pm. Today would be a good day to keep your car in the garage or a parking garage just in case hail falls in your neighbourhood!"
Residents living in the danger areas have been warned that if they spot a tornado to go at once to a small central room in a sturdy structure. It should also be on the lowest floor of the building.
Due to the possibility of torrential rain, warnings have been put out for flash flooding.
People have been warned to not drive any vehicle through flooded roadways.
Florida is prone to storms coming off the Gulf of Mexico.
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In September 2022, Hurricane Ian swept across the state killing 149 people.
The Category Four storm destroyed thousands of homes and left millions without power.
Governor Ron DeSantis described it as a once-in-500-year flood with the cities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples were particularly hard hit.
Most of the damage wrought was in southwest Florida which was the worst hit from flooding, caused by storm surges and rainfall.
A cemetery in Oakland, which is less than 20 miles from Orlando, saw horrendous flooding which led to the bodies of loved ones bobbing around.
The grim scenes saw one casket floating around the graveyard as residents and family members rushed to the scene.
Some of the caskets were opened up after fallen trees had landed on the bodies after Oakland experienced "historic flooding".
One man had recently buried his grandmother in the graveyard just last week and was having to rush to the cemetery to ensure she was still there.