( CNN ) -- Severe weather tore across central Florida on Thursday , causing damage and spawning an apparent tornado in Tampa , the National Weather Service said . A heavy storm with strong winds hit the Sun ' n Fun aviation fair at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport , causing `` extensive minor damage and reports of minor injuries , '' but `` all persons so far have been accounted for , '' said Sgt . Terri Smith of the Lakeland Police Department . The National Weather Service had reported a building collapse that trapped 70 people at the airport , but that report was false , Smith said . The Sun ' n Fun International Fly-In & Expo is a six-day aviation-themed festival that provides the primary source of funding for Sun ' n Fun , a nonprofit organization , and its wholly owned subsidiary , the Florida Air Museum . Greg Lane , a Sun ' n Fun volunteer who is working with a low-power AM radio station at the airport , said the `` sky went from gray to black to bluish green '' as the storm rolled in . `` You could n't see the tents that were 50 feet across the drive from us , '' he said . The state 's emergency management office said it has deployed personnel to the airport and is monitoring the situation , according to spokeswoman Melanie Motiska . In Tampa , meanwhile , an apparent tornado touched down , and parts of Hillsborough County were under a tornado warning that the weather service issued at 11:51 a.m . The warning covered parts of Hillsborough and Polk counties . Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio said there has been some damage to residences and businesses in the city as a result of `` very , very severe weather . '' However , she said , there have been no injuries , and `` I think we 're faring well . '' She said trees , including huge oaks , have been upended and power lines have been downed . The fire department has been at the scene of every structural damage incident , Iorio said . She added that there might be more severe damage outside the city . Iorio added that since Wednesday , media reports had warned residents that `` today 's the day to stay inside '' because of bad weather . `` It 's going to be a big system for the rest of the day , '' said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers , referring to the low-pressure system and cold front that developed over the Gulf of Mexico and moved east across Florida . `` You need to get inside your home and away from the glass . '' The storm damaged about 25 homes in Hillsborough County , Sheriff 's Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter said . Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings have been issued across north and central Florida and will remain in effect until 8 p.m . ET , emergency spokeswoman Motiska said . Additional strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds , hail , heavy rain , lightning and isolated tornadoes are also possible through the evening . A photo on the website of Bay News 9 showed an overturned small airplane at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport . The affiliate also broadcast images of damaged street signs and billboards as high winds swept through the area . CNN 's Joe Sterling contributed to this report .
NEW : 25 homes in Hillsborough County were damaged by the storm . Thunderstorm and tornado warnings are in effect until 8 p.m . ET . Reports that an airport building collapsed , trapping 70 people , are false , police say . Florida 's emergency management office says it has deployed personnel to the airport .