EF2 tornado in Broward County, Florida

A strong tornado rated as an EF-2 with maximum estimated winds of 125 mph moved across western portions of Plantation and Sunrise on the evening of October 18th. A total of 136 structures suffered damage, with about 20-25 of these sustaining significant to severe damage. A few mobile homes in the Plantation section of the tornado were destroyed with roof and wall collapse. The tornado intensified as it moved into Sunrise, damaging homes in the New Orleans Homes subdivision. Two concrete block homes sustained significant to total roof loss, and several other homes had significant roof, garage and window damage. Cars were damaged by winds and debris as well as uprooted and sheared trees.

Most of the damage was in the EF-1 range, except for a two-block area of EF-2 damage in Sunrise at the New Orleans Homes subdivision where the highest winds were noted.

Despite the magnitude and extent of the damage, no major injuries were reported with only a few scrapes and cuts. Federal assistance was approved for residents in the affected area due to the severity and magnitude of the damage.

Strong southerly wind flow ahead of low pressure over the Gulf of Mexico created very unstable atmospheric conditions along with high levels of wind shear over South Florida and the adjacent Gulf waters. These conditions were quite favorable for the formation of waterspout and tornadoes.