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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
328 PM EDT Wed Oct 16 2024

...NWS Damage Survey for St. Lucie County Tornado Event...

.Fort Pierce Tornado...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    95 mph
Path Length /statute/:  6.75 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   150 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             10/09/2024
Start Time:             04:14 PM EDT
Start Location:         Fort Pierce, FL
Start Lat/Lon:          27.4695 / -80.3468

End Date:               10/09/2024
End Time:               04:24 PM EDT
End Location:           Fort Pierce, FL
End Lat/Lon:            27.5571 / -80.3952

A National Weather Service Melbourne damage survey confirms that
an EF-1 tornado impacted St. Lucie County on Wednesday, October 
9, 2024. The EF-1 tornado was one of several tornadoes to impact 
the area as Hurricane Milton's outer rainbands swept across the 
Treasure Coast.

911 call logs indicate that the tornado likely touched down in
Fort Pierce North very near the Belcher Canal. Aside from
vegetative damage, a few structures experienced partial roof loss
in the vicinity of St. Lucie Blvd and N 25th St. 

The circulation continued on a northwest trajectory and across the
Treasure Coast International Airport airfield where several small
planes were tossed and flipped. The ASOS at the airport recorded a
52 knots, or 60 mph, gust at 421 PM EDT. Radar data suggests that
the circulation intensified as it moved over the open airfield and
moved into a mainly forested area on the north side of the facility.
As the tornado intersected with residential areas, more 
substantial damage to a few homes was noted, including those on 
Sparkling Pines Dr. and within the Island Pines Golf Club where 
the tornado likely produced peak wind speeds of 85 to 95 mph. 

The system continued on a northwest trajectory toward the 
Lakewood Park section of Fort Pierce where an EF-2/EF-3 tornado 
crossed paths approximately one hour later. Here, distinguishing 
damage from the more significant tornado was extremely difficult.
However, interviews with Lakewood Park and Spanish Lakes 
residents suggest that the initial tornado produced minor to 
moderate residential damage, mainly to carports, porches, awnings,
etc. likely as a result of 65 to 75 mph winds. 

While the radar-indicated debris signature continued northward,  
there were no additional reports of significant damage beyond the 
county line. It is assumed that the circulation lifted before 
moving into Indian River County. 

The National Weather Service Office in Melbourne sends its 
sincerest thanks to St. Lucie County Emergency Management and 
other 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/Tollefsen