EF1 Tornado — Okeechobee, Florida

2024-10-09 · near Cypress Quarters, Okeechobee, Florida

Event narrative

Based on radar analysis and public video provided to the NWS, the tornado touched down immediately south of SR-70. At this location, irrigation equipment was flipped over, indicative of EF-0 winds of 75 - 85 mph.

The tornado continued northeast to NE 120th St., where an outbuilding suffered damage to its metal roof; the roof was not torn off. Nearby hardwood trees were toppled and large branches were broken off, including at the entrance to Sunshine Grove (the site of the Okeechobee Music Festival). The damage in this area was consistent with EF-0 to EF-1 winds of 75 to 95 mph.

From there, the tornado traveled over mainly undeveloped land on approach to 45th Terrace and NE 224th St. Though no damage was observed due to inaccessibility, dual polarimetric radar indicates that the tornado remained on the ground during this period. Along 45th Terrace, the tornado passed over a portion of a commercial farm. At least two small homes suffered significant roof damage, and a semi truck and attached flatbed trailer were turned on its side. Again, this damage was of EF-0 or EF-1

intensity.

The most significant damage on its path occurred at the Pine Creek Sporting Club, which is north of NE 224th St. Here, three well-constructed wood frame outbuildings were destroyed. Two of the buildings were at least partially open-front. On two of the buildings, heavy duty posts were sheared off at the ground as the roof gave way. On the third building, some of the posts were ripped out of the ground as the roof was lifted. Debris was strewn a large distance northward from these locations. According to an employee, one UTV was tossed into a live oak tree. The nearby cabins were spared of all but minor damage. Many hardwood trees were either uprooted or large branches snapped. It was concluded that high-end EF-1 damage occurred at the Pine Creek Sporting Club, with winds from 100 - 110 mph.

The tornado continued northwest, passing over open pasture before reaching a stand of hardwood trees along US-441. Many trees along US-441 were snapped; at least a couple were snapped down at the trunk. This was also consistent with EF-1 winds. According to dual polarimetric radar data, the tornado continued a short distance

northwest from this location before lifting to the south of Fort Drum.

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 → (27.2724, -80.7072)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1220134. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.