Irma: TV reporter broadcasts lives as tornado tears down street behind him

Mike Bettes was dragged away by the wind but emerged unscathed

A television meteorologist was broadcasting live as a tornado appeared to tear down the street behind.

Mike Bettes, a meteorologist with the Weather Channel, was reporting on Hurricane Irma as it pounded Florida, making landfall in the Florida Keys and then making its way northwards.

Several hours later, the storm made land for a second time, hitting land close to the city of Napes on the state’s west coast.

Mr Bettes was broadcasting life in Naples, which has a population of around 20,000 when what appeared to be a small tornado passed down the street behind him.

The city reported gusts as high as 141 mph.

Mr Bettes, host of Weather Underground, was seen to be pulled down the street for several yards by the force of the wind.

Remarkably he escaped unhurt and was then seen to grin towards the camera.