Thunderstorm Wind — Okaloosa, Florida

2003-02-21 · near Ft Walton Beach, Okaloosa, Florida

Event narrative

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across the coastal portions of the county during the early morning hours. The most intense part of the line of storms was along the coast in the vicinity of Okaloosa Island in the Fort Walton Beach area. Very strong straight line winds associated with a "bow echo" along the line storms produced extensive wind damage to the west wing of the Blue Horizon Beach Resort . The strong blast of wind tore the roof off of the three story west wing of the condos, and deposited it in the adjacent parking lot and onto Santa Rosa Blvd., the highway located just north of the condominium complex. Some of the roof debris also hit and damaged the Sugar Isle Motel, which is located next door to the Blue Horizon. About 60 rooms of the Blue Horizon's west wing received major structural and water damage, and significant damage also occurred to automobiles in the adjacent parking lot, which were hit by flying debris. In addition, power lines and power polls along Santa Rosa Blvd were also downed by debris and high winds.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.3667, -86.6667)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5343828. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.