Watch: Microburst in Ybor City leaves storm damage, power outages in its wake
Storm damage and power outages are being reported in Ybor City after what the National Weather Service says was a brief microburst around 5 p.m.
A microburst is a small, short downdraft of wind that can often be confused with a tornado because of its high speeds. The weather service says a microburst can produce winds up to 168 mph. Austen Flannery, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Ruskin, says they believe this one was about 60 mph.
Tampa Electric Co.’s outage map reports more than 1,500 people in the Ybor City area are without power as of around 7:30 p.m. The company’s website estimates power will be restored by 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Ybor City residents responded to the weather service’s tweet with videos and photos showing the strong wind during the storm — and the damage it left behind.
Crowbar in Ybor City announced in an Instagram post on Wednesday night that a concert with the band Archers has been postponed, citing power outages in the area. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Thursday for the rescheduled show, and all tickets will be honored. The bar is offering refunds to anyone who cannot make the new show time.
This is a developing story. Stay with tampabay.com for updates.
