Bradenton, Florida – A family boating on the Manatee River witnessed a rare sight on Sunday. Twin waterspouts, funnel-shaped clouds over water, appeared suddenly, captivating onlookers.

Jeni Scheid, 41, filmed the dramatic scene. She and her husband, D.J., were with family and a friend when they noticed ominous clouds. As rain poured, they headed back to shore.

D.J. spotted water rising about 200 feet from their boat. “That’s going to be a waterspout,” he said. Soon, two funnels formed from a spiraling cloud, leaving the group in awe.

“It looked like something from a movie,” Jeni Scheid said. The waterspouts moved slowly, easing fears. Unlike tornadoes, they carried no flying debris.

Back on land, Scheid learned others had seen the massive spouts from afar. The phenomenon, caused by a storm, also included a lone waterspout earlier in Tampa Bay.

No damage or landfall was reported. The National Weather Service warns boaters to avoid waterspouts, which can be as dangerous as tornadoes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download