Nineteen people were killed today when severe thunderstorms and at least one tornado splintered homes and left a trail of devastation through central Florida, an emergency center spokesman said.
"The death toll is up to 19 now," said Kevin Lenhart, spokesman for the Lake County emergency operations center near the key tourist city of Orlando.
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes struck a wide area north of Florida's key tourism region of Orlando.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist postponed the scheduled presentation of his first budget because of the weather emergency.