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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
739 PM EDT Tue Oct 15 2024

...NWS Damage Survey for 10/09/24 Northeastern Okeechobee County 
Tornado Event - Update #1...

.Update...Start of Track Location and Time, Path Length...

.Northeastern Okeechobee County...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  17.14 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   300 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             10/09/2024
Start Time:             02:10 PM EDT
Start Location:         4 ENE Four Seasons Estates / Okeechobee County / FL
Start Lat/Lon:          27.2724 / -80.7072

End Date:               10/09/2024
End Time:               02:39 PM EDT
End Location:           2 S Fort Drum / Okeechobee County / FL
End Lat/Lon:            27.4988 / -80.8184

Survey Summary:

A National Weather Service survey team conducted an initial 
damage assessment in rural northeastern Okeechobee County. A 
tornado occurred, which produced several instances of damage on an
unusually long path for South-Central Florida. Based on radar 
analysis and public video provided to the NWS, the tornado touched
down immediately south of SR-70 around 2:10 PM EDT. At this 
location, irrigation equipment was flipped over, indicative of 
EF-0 winds of 75 - 85 mph.

The tornado continued northeast to NE 120th St., where an 
outbuilding suffered damage to its metal roof; the roof was not 
torn off. Nearby hardwood trees were toppled and large branches 
were broken off, including at the entrance to Sunshine Grove (the 
site of the Okeechobee Music Festival). The damage in this area 
was consistent with EF-0 to EF-1 winds of 75 to 95 mph.

From there, the tornado traveled over mainly undeveloped land on 
approach to 45th Terrace and NE 224th St. Though no damage was 
observed due to inaccessibility, dual polarimetric radar indicates
that the tornado remained on the ground during this period.

Along 45th Terrace, the tornado passed over a portion of a 
commercial farm. At least two small homes suffered significant 
roof damage, and a semi truck and attached flatbed trailer were 
turned on its side. Again, this damage was of EF-0 or EF-1 
intensity.

The most significant damage on its path occurred at the Pine Creek
Sporting Club, which is north of NE 224th St. Here, three
well-constructed wood frame outbuildings were destroyed. Two of 
the buildings were at least partially open-front. On two of the
buildings, heavy duty posts were sheared off at the ground as the
roof gave way. On the third building, some of the posts were 
ripped out of the ground as the roof was lifted. Debris was strewn
a large distance northward from these locations. According to an 
employee, one UTV was tossed into a live oak tree. The nearby 
cabins were spared of all but minor damage. Many hardwood trees 
were either uprooted or large branches snapped. It was concluded 
that high-end EF-1 damage occurred at the Pine Creek Sporting 
Club, with winds from 100 - 110 mph.

The tornado continued northwest, passing over open pasture before
reaching a stand of hardwood trees along US-441. Many trees along
US-441 were snapped; at least a couple were snapped down at the 
trunk. This was also consistent with EF-1 winds. According to dual
polarimetric radar data, the tornado continued a short distance 
northwest from this location before lifting to the south of Fort 
Drum around 2:39 PM EDT.

The National Weather Service Office in Melbourne sends its 
sincerest thanks to the Okeechobee 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.


$$

Heil/Volkmer