EF0 Tornado — Martin, Florida

2024-10-09 · near Indiantown Crl T Arp, Martin, Florida

Event narrative

The tornado initially touched down in a wooded area in Martin County, to the south of the SW Martin Hwy and I-95 Interchange. Martin County Fire Rescue reported a tractor trailer was flipped by the tornado near mile marker 109. The circulation continued north along the interstate, downing numerous trees along its path with estimated peak wind speeds of 75 to 85 mph. The tornado continued into St. Lucie County very near the intersection of the County Line Canal and Interstate 95 (near Mile Marker 114).

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Milton moved ashore the west-central Florida coast as a category 3 hurricane on Oct 9 around 1930EST. The system continued slowly in an east-northeast trajectory across central Florida, becoming a category 1 hurricane before emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Canaveral. The outer rainbands of Milton overspread the Florida peninsula earlier in the day, leading to a prolific tornado outbreak across Okeechobee, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Osceola and Brevard counties with over 19 confirmed tornadoes within a 4-hour period. Milton's slow forward motion produced very heavy rainfall, with significant urban and street flooding particularly near and north of the center's track, as well as a significant river flood event along the St. Johns. Considerable tree damage and some structural damage occurred due to the system's tropical storm force winds, and hurricane force wind gusts, particularly near and north of the track of the center.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (27.1270, -80.3840)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1220131. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.