Florida Sun and Fun 2011 Storm

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Several people from Wisconsin witnessed a powerful storm devastate a Florida air show at noon Thursday.
The storm spawned high winds and tornadoes around central Florida that flipped planes and forced thousands of people to run for cover at the Sun 'N Fun Fly-in.
"A large number of EAA members are down there as volunteers," EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski said. "All of them were accounted for."
The fly-in was being held in Lakeland, Florida, about 40 miles east of Tampa.
Event organizers say 40 to 50 planes sustained damage. Some came to rest upside down on the tarmac.
Downed power lines and fuel leaks became a concern.
Police say at least 15 people received medical treatment but no serious injuries were reported.
"You could hear metal being wrapped on things. You could hear movements, and granted it was so, it was dark, and it was raining so hard. It was just literally you could not see outside car windows," Nadia Farr of the EAA told us by phone from Florida.
No one from EAA was among the injured even though the storm caused extensive damage.
Knapinski says at first it was tough getting information.
"Everybody was accounted for relatively quickly. A large number of EAA members are down there as volunteers. All of them were accounted for, and Sun 'N Fun officials said everybody on the grounds were accounted for within the first couple of hours," Knapinski said.

Despite the damage, most of the EAA members in Florida plan to stick around through Monday. Many hope to assist in the cleanup effort.
"EAA members down there have already offered assistance: How do we help people with damaged airplanes, airplanes that are flyable but might just need a little bit of fixing. People are really coming together down there, from what we understand, to really make the best of the event even after the weather," Knapinski said.
"Yes, there's been some material damage, but if that's all it is, I think we should just be happy," Farr said.

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RIP Zenith Demonstrator 750

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Another

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For more information, google Sun and Fun Storm.

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Another trashed Zenith - I guess some insurance company is having a bad week. Hope everyone was covered!!!

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Yikes!

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With Oshkosh a mere 5 months away, I guess a lot of manufacturers are going to be very busy over the next few months. I found this news alert on the Sun and Fun website (prior to the storm).

"Lakeland and Polk County are currently under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. tonight. A Tornado Watch is issued to alert people to the possibility of a tornado developing in our area. At this point, a tornado has not been seen but the conditions are favorable for a tornado to occur.
In addition, there is the potential for severe weather tomorrow – Thursday, March 31 – from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the likelihood of high winds and the possibility of hail between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Please secure your aircraft, exhibit, tent and/or campsite and encourage others to do so immediately.
The air show is on hold at this point until 5:15 p.m. Warbirds and the jump plane were launched earlier this afternoon but recalled due to winds gusting up to 30 m.p.h.
Remember to keep safety as your top priority. Thank you for sharing this information with others."

So I guess there was some warning, but how do you "secure" your aircraft for a tornado. My tact would be to get the hell out of there and find a hangar!!!!!

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http://www.wtsp.com/video/default.aspx? ... 3947847001

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Sad, sad, sad