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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
549 PM EDT Sun Oct 13 2024

...NWS Damage Survey for St. Lucie/SE Indian River County Tornado
Event - Update #2...

.Update...North end of track information and path length.

.Fort Pierce, Spanish Lakes, and Vero Beach Area Tornado...

Rating:                 EF3
Estimated Peak Wind:    155 mph
Path Length /statute/:  21.17 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   500 yards
Fatalities:             6
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             10/13/2024
Start Time:             04:59 PM EDT
Start Location:         2 NNW Carlton / St. Lucie County / FL
Start Lat/Lon:          27.3742 / -80.4266

End Date:               10/13/2024
End Time:               05:30 PM EDT
End Location:           1 NNW Jaycee Beach / Indian River County / FL
End Lat/Lon:            27.6749 / -80.3621

Survey Summary:
A National Weather Service survey team conducted an initial damage 
assessment in Fort Pierce, FL and Vero Beach, FL where an unusually 
strong, long-tracked tornado in association with Hurricane Milton 
produced widespread EF-1 to EF-2 damage, and periodic EF-3 damage. 
The survey determined that the tornado touched down to the south of 
Midway Rd. in Fort Pierce and continued on a nearly continuous path 
for at least 18 miles until it moved offshore into the Atlantic 
Ocean near Jaycee Park. An additional survey could possibly extend 
the path southward with future updates.

Significant vegetative and structural damage was observed along 
nearly the entire path length, indicating the tornado was 
continuous. Initial structural damage occurred within the Creekside 
Subdivision and Sunnier Palms Park and Campground along Okeechobee 
Rd. Here, several homes within the Creekside community suffered 
partial roof loss, while numerous mobile and manufactured homes 
within the Sunnier Palms community suffered major damage or were 
destroyed. Extensive tree damage was also noted in the area. 

The tornado continued north-northeast over rural portions of St. 
Lucie County, parallel to S Kings Hwy. Here, the tornado 
strengthened to EF-3, with peak winds up to 155 mph. Two large 
warehouses along Orange Ave., one brand new construction, experienced
major damage with greater than 50% of the structure collapsed.

Damage was noted in rural areas adjacent to Kings Hwy as the 
tornado traveled north, resulting in occasional significant 
structural damage as well as numerous downed trees and power lines. 
EF-3 tornado damage occurred one final time at a truss company along 
Kings Hwy, where greater than 50% of a steel/metal building 
collapsed. The tornado then intersected subdivisions in the northern 
part of the county where additional residential damage was observed. 
Numerous single family homes in both Holiday Pines and Portofino 
Shores experienced significant roof, soffit, and siding damage, 
where the tornado likely continued as an EF-2 with peak winds 
estimated between 110 - 125 mph. 

The most prolific and extensive damage from the event was noted 
in the Spanish Lakes community, where a total of six storm- 
related fatalities have been confirmed as of the time of this 
writing. Numerous mobile and manufactured homes were destroyed 
along the western edge of the community, where the tornado 
produced high-end EF-2 winds of 125 - 135 mph. An initial survey
of the community indicates over 20 homes were tossed (some 
flipped) from their foundation. Despite the extensive damage to 
the communities' manufactured homes, nearly all concrete block 
structures in the community experienced relatively minor or 
moderate damage. 

The tornado then moved into Indian River County. In the Vero Beach 
Highlands neighborhood, multiple properties suffered roof and 
outbuilding damage, and healthy hardwood trees either were toppled 
or snapped. This damage paralleled a few blocks within 6th Ave SW. 
Farther north along US-1 in the Oslo area, a Publix suffered broken 
windows. Roof AC units were dislodged and fell to the ground, and a 
car was flipped over. This damage is consistent with EF-1 winds of 
90 - 110 mph. 

After crossing the Indian River, additional damage occurred on the 
barrier island of Vero Beach, mainly near and west of A1A between 
Bay Dr and Jaycee Park. Significant damage occurred at the Bayou 
condominiums, where sections of the roof were torn off both the east 
and west buildings and thrown northward into a neighboring tree 
line. A pontoon boat was lifted out of the water and landed upside 
down on the sea wall. Winds in this small area were likely 115 - 125 
mph, or EF-2 strength. Wind magnitudes may have been accentuated by 
proximity to open water. 

North from there, missing shingles or roof tiles were noted on 
several homes and businesses, consistent with either EF-0 or EF-1 
winds. Many large tree branches were broken. In the Bethel Creek 
neighborhood, multiple homes suffered major roof loss (greater 
than 50%) and pool cages were destroyed. A low-rise multi-family 
building also lost over 20% of its roof. The Bethel Creek area 
damage was EF-2 with winds of 115 - 125 mph. The tornado then 
continued into a wooded area along the beach, snapping or toppling
many trees before moving offshore into the Atlantic Ocean.

There are six fatalities as a result of the tornado damage. The
National Weather Service Office in Melbourne sends its sincerest 
thanks to the St. Lucie and Indian River County Emergency Management 
and other local partners for their extensive and ongoing 
coordination. Appreciation is also extended to local broadcast 
media, trained spotters, and local residents for providing 
information before and during the storm survey.

&&

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0.....65 to 85 mph
EF1.....86 to 110 mph
EF2.....111 to 135 mph
EF3.....136 to 165 mph
EF4.....166 to 200 mph
EF5.....>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in
NWS Storm Data.


$$

Ulrich/Volkmer/Sharp/Schaper/Law/Heil