EF2 tornado in Walton County, Florida

A tornado touched down in the Driftwood Estates subdivision of South Walton County between Riverbirch Loop and Cocobolo Drive. The tornado caused mainly roof damage as it crossed the subdivision. Homes suffered damage to roof coverings on Cocobolo Drive, and both ends of Pin Oak Loop. The tornado then apparently lifted briefly as it crossed a wooded area. A drone provided by South Walton Fire District could find no damage in the woods. The tornado then touched down on Red Bay Court where it snapped or damaged several small hardwood trees and did some minor roof damage. More substantial roof damage occurred to three homes on Loblolly Bay Drive and four homes on Driftwood Point Road. One sturdy palm tree was snapped at the intersection of Red Bay and Loblolly with four others partially uprooted on Driftwood Point Road. The tornado then lifted over Choctawhatchee Bay. Most of the roof damage in this community was consistent with EF-1 winds. However, three homes experienced the uplift and failure of large sections of the roof structures themselves. That is consistent with EF-2 damage with maximum winds of 115 mph. Damage cost was estimated.

A couple of strong upper level shortwaves impacted the area during the latter half of January, bringing with them a couple of rounds of severe weather with numerous reports of trees and power lines blown down. In addition, a few tornadoes occurred across the tri-state area.