The west side of Jacksonville experienced heavy flooding, according to Jim Loftus, public information

officer for the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Loftus' report was confirmed by local emergency management officials, who were still canvassing the

area late Wednesday afternoon. Streets held up to six inches of water, making it difficult to conduct

immediate damage assessments, said Lt. Glenda Hopkins from Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.

"Motorists were trapped in their vehicles," said Hopkins.

A tornado touched down, overturning a car and throwing a dumpster on top of another vehicle, said

Hopkins, but no injuries were reported.

"There is flooding in homes on the west side (of Jacksonville)," she added. "At least 10 homes sustained

flood damage. Also, a lot of outside sheds were picked up, awnings were ripped off, and one storefront

was damaged by high winds."

The Avondale United Methodist Church and Murray Hill Baptist Church were open as shelters on

Wednesday afternoon, said Hopkins.

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