EF1 tornado in Duval County, Florida

A cyclonic supercell storm within an outer rain band of TS Elsa's east side produced two tornado touchdowns. The first touchdown occurred in south-central Duval County and then over eastern Camden County in SE Georgia. This report will focus on the Duval County damage. A NWS Storm Survey found that the tornado initially touched down along San Ardo Drive, just NE of Beauclerc. Large tree branches were snapped and damage occurred to residences near Goodby's Creek. The tornado continued to track northward through San Jose with EF-1 damage noted along Old King's Road South and Powers Avenue, just west of Baker-Skinner Park where several trees were completely uprooted. One large pine tree was snapped and fell over a deck at the Heron Walk Apartment Complex. The tornado reached it's peak intensity and width as it crossed Phillips Highway and moved along Bowdendale Avenue where significant damage was noted to several industrial buildings. Damage to the buildings included metal siding ripped off and roofs peeled back, with debris lofted to the top of a nearby radio antenna tower. The tornado crossed Interstate 95 near the Bowden Road interchange, where large tree branches snapped and more roof damage occurred alogn Spring Park Road. The tornado weakened as it impacted University Christian School and then just northeast of Englewood High School, where tree branches were snapped along Daryl Road.

Tropical Storm Elsa tracked NNE across the western tier of the local forecast area through the day on Wed, July 7th. The storm made landfall along the FL Big Bend coast. The main impacts from TS Elsa for the local area included 3 confirmed tornadoes, downed trees due to gusty winds, and heavy rainfall which caused river flooding. There was one loss of life due to a tree falling onto a car. Peak rainfall amount was near 7.2 inches in Alachua county and the peak recorded wind gust in a squall was 58 mph in Jekyll Island GA.