EF0 Tornado — Indian River, Florida

2024-10-09 · near Apoxsee, Indian River, Florida

Event narrative

Based on KMLB dual-polarimetric radar, the tornado started in a rural area south of Fellsmere Rd. near the Indian River and Osceola County border. A damage survey indicated minor damage to a barn at a residence off of Fellsmere Road consistent with EF-0 type damage. The tornado quickly crossed into Osceola County after crossing Fellsmere Road.

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 → (27.8150, -80.8570)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1220137. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.