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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
1238 PM EDT Thu Oct 17 2024

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

.Palm City and Port St. Lucie Tornado...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    125 mph
Path Length /statute/:  31.60 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   300 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             10/09/2024
Start Time:             05:00 PM EDT
Start Location:         Palm City, FL 
Start Lat/Lon:          26.9589 / -80.3514

End Date:               10/09/2024
End Time:               05:50 PM EDT
End Location:           Fort Pierce, FL
End Lat/Lon:            27.4122 / -80.3193

A National Weather Service Melbourne damage survey confirms that
a tornado impacted portions of Martin and St. Lucie counties on 
Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The tornado, which produced a large
swath of EF-0 and EF-1 damage, and a small section of EF-2 damage, 
was one of several tornadoes to impact the area as Hurricane 
Milton's outer rainbands swept across the Treasure Coast. Based 
on radar dual polarimetric data, it is believed this tornado 
initially touched down in Palm Beach County. 

As it moved into rural Martin County, the system intersected a 
few homes south of SW Kanner Hwy. A large, newer construction 
home, experienced major damage when nearly all of its roof was 
torn back and tossed onto an adjacent home. Nearby metal storage 
structures were also significantly damaged, indicating EF-2 winds 
of 115 - 125 mph. As of the writing of this report, this is the 
only known EF-2 damage along the entirety of the tornado's path. 

The tornado continued northward through rural Martin County where
sporadic damage to vegetation and residential structures was 
witnessed along Citrus Blvd, producing winds ranging from 85 to 
105 mph (EF-0 to EF-1). The circulation damaged several industrial
buildings, including the canopy of a gas station, near SW Martin 
Hwy and SW 42nd Ave. 

The tornado subsequently crossed Florida's Turnpike where it then
entered several subdivisions but produced only minor damage given
that most of the homes were concrete block structures. Video from
SKYWARN Spotters indicate the circulation emerged into the St. 
Lucie River and became a well-defined waterspout thereafter. The 
waterspout moved ashore the St. Lucia River Club at Ballantrae 
where significant vegetative damage and minor property damage 
resulted. 

Vegetative damage, along with sporadic property damage mainly in
the form of shingle loss, soffit damage, etc. continued generally
in a north direction across US-1 and into the Savannas Preserve 
State Park in Port St. Lucie, coincident with EF-0 type damage 
with winds up to 80 mph. 

Radar data suggests the tornado intensified briefly before 
entering the Indian River Estates subdivision where numerous homes
were affected. Here, several parked vehicles were flipped and 
tossed, and a few homes experienced partial roof loss, suggesting 
the tornado may have produced peak winds of up to 95 mph. The 
circulation continued northward into Fort Pierce was it appears to
have dissipated near the Dixieland and High Point subdivisions. 

The National Weather Service Office in Melbourne sends its
sincerest thanks to Martin and St. Lucie County, as well as the
City of Port St. Lucie, 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.


$$