Funnel cloud caught on video in St. James City

A funnel cloud was seen near Saint James City on Monday morning, and while it never touched the ground, it was something the photographer never saw before.

Usually, when there’s a big storm, the National Weather Service issues a warning leading to our phones getting an alert. But there was no alert sent on Monday.

As farmers, the Dansby’s were happy to see the rain but stunned by the funnel cloud.

“We didn’t hear anything,” Joanna Dansby said. “Suggesting that we’re going to have turbulent weather.”

A video taken from the Dansby’s backyard in St. James City on Monday morning shows a funnel cloud beginning to rotate in the sky.

Mike Dansby was the person recording the video. Mike can be heard in the video praying the funnel cloud doesn’t touch the ground.

WINK News asked Joanna if she was nervous her husband was recording potentially destructive weather.

“I’ve given up on that after almost 40 years. There’s nothing I could do to stop him,” Joanna said.

But 40 years of marriage can build a lot of trust, so Joanna trusted Mike would be careful.

“After thinking this was just going to be some sort of rain, that you know, something like that, and nobody was saying keep an eye out for tornadoes,” Joanna said.

But another thing that Joanna trusts is her phone to start going off with warning sounds whenever there is severe weather. The problem was the National Weather Service didn’t send any warning Monday morning. So, until they looked up, Mike and Joanna had no clue the funnel cloud was coming.

“The clouds were moving everywhere. You could see them moving both directions. And so, we started watching that when it was both directions,” Mike said.

Mike has been speculating and came up with a theory.

“I have a feeling some of that stuff can just be, like, pop up too fast. The computers just aren’t there yet,” Mike said.

The National Weather Service has not answered WINK News’ questions about why a severe thunderstorm warning, or any other kind of warning, wasn’t issued.