Thunderstorm Wind in Okeechobee County, Florida

An analysis of radar imagery, photos, and videos as well as a damage assessment conducted by the Okeechobee County Emergency Management indicate that a straight-line wind event caused damage in the City of Okeechobee around 620 pm EDT on Thursday, Jun 15, 2023. Peak winds during the event were estimated between 65 to 75

mph.

Damaging winds began near the intersection of US Hwy 441 and SE 37th Ct where a fast food restaurant drive-thru awning was lifted and bent. A swath of damage continued toward the northeast across US Hwy 441, where a small section of the roof of a grocery store was torn back. Additionally, a mobile home in the nearby community of Heritage Village lost a part of its roof when its porch awning was torn away by the strong winds. Minor damage was reported at the local flea market facility where some of the metal sheathing of the roof, and a small barn, were blown into the adjacent field and across SE 28th St. Several fallen trees and a downed powerline were also confirmed by fire and emergency management officials.

Two severe thunderstorms produced wind damage in Okeechobee and Indian River Counties.