Severe thunderstorm leaves trail of damage, power outages across Ocala

The severe thunderstorm that ripped through Ocala on Saturday afternoon left a trail of uprooted trees and structural damage that temporarily knocked out power for thousands of residents.

According to the National Weather Service, the thunderstorm that rolled in just before 2:48 p.m. brought heavy thunder, strong wind gusts, and even hail.

Ocala Fire Rescue reported that the severe weather left widespread road blockages and downed power lines along its path.

First responders warned that while the preliminary damage appeared to be structural, invisible live power lines hanging across local roads created an inconspicuous and extreme hazard, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay indoors while workers made their way through the area.

Photos from the aftermath showed massive oak trees completely uprooted, heavy limbs crushing residential roofs, and trees entirely blocking roadways in several neighborhoods.

The falling trees dealt a devastating blow to the local electric grid, particularly along the 1700 block of NE 24th Street, where a large downed tree caused extensive damage to the electrical system and snapped multiple transmission poles.

Ocala Electric Utility initiated an all-hands-on-deck response, working around the clock alongside the Ocala Police Department and Ocala Fire Rescue, who provided traffic control to keep the area safe.

Thanks to the coordinated effort, utility crews successfully restored power to thousands of customers before 9 p.m. on Saturday.

A small number of residents along NE 14th Avenue, from the 2100 block to the 2600 block, faced extended outages into the night while crews remained on-site to replace the broken poles and fully restore the grid.

Do you have any photos of the damage that you or your neighbors incurred? Share your photos with us or write a letter to the editor.