By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WATERSPOUTS were spotted on Friday off the southern coast of Grand Bahama following a severe thunderstorm warning this morning.

According to weather officials, three waterspouts were seen in the water – one about three miles from land and a second about one mile from shore from William Town Beach, Freeport.

Public schools closed early due to a bogus report circulating on social media warning the public that an estimated seven tornados were expected to make landfall in Grand Bahama.

Trinard Tynes, of the Department of Meteorology in Freeport, said it was a hoax and that the department did not issue any tornado warnings.

“We had a thunderstorm warning issued in the morning and during that time the waterspouts formed on the southern side of the island,” he said. “The problem is that someone sent out a hoax letter estimating seven tornados to touch down in Grand Bahama. The information was bogus and there was no tornado warning issued by our department or the Police.”

The letter claimed that the RBPF was advising parents not to retrieve their children from schools and for persons to remain indoors.

Police Inspector Terecita Pinder, press officer, said the RBPF does not give weather advisories, and did not send out any advisory in regards to the weather.

The Ministry of Education issued a public service advisory on the radio announcing that all government schools were closing and that parents were to pick up their children.

Some private schools also closed early. Parents were contacted and told to pick up their children due to the reported tornado warning.

Mr Tynes said that they had received a lot of calls from concerned persons. He said any information issued pertaining to the weather would have the Department of Meteorology logo on it.

“We have been calling around to let people know that if they receive information that they are not sure about to call us and verify it,” he said.

Mr Tynes said that this is thunderstorm season. He noted that waterspouts, funnel clouds, lightning, and heavy winds and rain are usually associated with thunderstorms.

The thunderstorm warning for Grand Bahama ended at 1pm.