EF0 Tornado — Collier, Florida

2022-01-16 · near Marco, Collier, Florida

Event narrative

Video from the public at Isle of Capri shared via social media captured the tornado as a waterspout before it came ashore. Surveyed tornado damage was found in the Victoria Falls neighborhood west of Collier Blvd and south of Tamiami Trail. A total of 20 homes sustained at least minor damage. Several uprooted trees, broken large branches, and at least two homes with tarps on roofs indicative of roof damage were observed in this neighborhood.

Tornado damage was also observed north of Tamiami Trail in Lely Resort. Here, the surveyed damage was mainly in the form of a few uprooted small trees, one uprooted palm tree, and broken large tree branches. The tops of a few palm trees were partially sheared off at the crown with only a few fronds remaining as well. A street sign was knocked over on Palmer Ct in Lely Resort.

As the cell moved to the northeast, the tornado eventually crossed Interstate 75 near mile marker 96 where it blew over a semi-tractor trailer, injuring the driver, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Estimated peak wind of 85 mph - high-end EF-0.

Wider weather episode

An area of low pressure moving across the SE United States dragged its associated cold front across the FL peninsula, bringing severe thunderstorms to the region. A band of thunderstorms moved through the area, with strong winds aloft providing the necessary ingredients for a few waterspouts/tornadoes as well as strong and gusty straight line winds.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (26.0200, -81.7670)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 995676. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.