National Weather Service Raw Text Product

108 
NOUS42 KKEY 132115
PNSKEY
FLZ076>078-140400-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Key West FL
515 PM EDT Thu Apr 13 2023

...NWS Damage Survey for 4/12/23 Tornado Event...

.Sigsbee Park Tornado...

Rating:                 EF0 
Estimated Peak Wind:    65 mph 
Path Length /statute/:  0.2272 miles 
Path Width /maximum/:   30.0 yards 
Fatalities:             0 
Injuries:               0

State Date:             04/12/2023
Start Time:             07:58 AM EDT
Start Location:         2 NNW Key West Arpt / Monroe County / FL
Start Lat/Lon:          24.5850 / -81.7694

End Date:               04/12/2023
End Time:               08:01 AM EDT
End Location:           2 NNW Key West Arpt / Monroe County / FL
End Lat/Lon:            24.5848 / -81.7670

Survey Summary: A narrow waterspout was observed making landfall 
along the north shoreline of Sigsbee Park near the northwest edge of 
the RV park. While only a short, transient condensation funnel was 
observed below the cloud base of a developing thunderstorm, a 
distinct circulation marked by dust, leaves and loose objects was 
observed as the tornado moved south southeast and slightly inland. 
Lawn furniture and a tabletop grill were tossed distances up to 
about 80 yards in a narrow path southeastward. The tornado moved in 
an erratic motion with cusps or concentratic circular motion, 
briefly pausing near a large tree. Leaves were pulled nearly 
directly upward into the circulaton vertically 100 to 200 feet, with 
small limbs less than an inch in diameter broken from the tree. The 
narrow tornado then turned east-southeast, tearing off the nylon 
reinforced roller shades that covered two side-outs on one large RV. 
 A large kayak was tossed airborn torward the east-southeast against 
the side of an RV two positions over, with a 400 lb motorcycle 
overturned. A large inflatable kayak secured to two bicycles was 
lofted, pulling the bicycles with such force as to snap several 
nylon 1-inch flat straps securing the equipment together. The kayak 
was not located. The tornado moved into an open field, and was 
observed by park residents to turn sharply north before fully 
reaching an area occupied by small ground-secured pup tents. Several 
tents were overturned east of the tornado's circulation but 
undamaged. As the tornado moved north breaking a few small limbs 
from trees, it reemerged over the Gulf of Mexico. A spray ring 
instantly formed as the now-waterspout moved north. Eventually it 
became obscured by heavy rain as the parent thunderstorm moved 
slowly northwest. The maximum wind speed was estimated from small 
limbs broken and movement of larger, heavier objects. However, due 
to a general lack of trees within the occupied portions of the RV 
park, there is higher than usual uncertainty with the wind 
estimates. Timing was adjusted in coorindation with radar imagery
from KBYX. No RVs were overturned, however superficial spot damages 
from debris strikes were noted on a few RVs.  

&&

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

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

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

$$