Deadly tornado that hit St. Lucie County rated at least EF3
A storm survey in St. Lucie County has confirmed EF3 tornado damage, according to the National Weather Service. The area surveyed included the Spanish Lakes subdivision. At least five people were killed by a tornado there, St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson said Thursday.
“EF3 damage, indicative of winds of up to 140-150 mph, was noted where several large warehouses were severely damaged and destroyed near the intersection of Orange Avenue and S. Rock Road,” the weather service said. “In the Spanish Lakes subdivision, numerous manufactured homes were destroyed when they were flipped or tossed. This is indicative of high end EF2 damage of 125-135 mph.”
These results still are preliminary and damage surveys will continue into the weekend.
“Based on the initial assessment of the damage, we can confirm a long-tracked tornado that led to a large swath of EF2 damage and periodic EF3 damage,” the weather service office in Melbourne, Florida, said.
The estimated track so far is at least 12 miles, but the weather service believes it extends farther on both ends of their initial survey. Additional work through the weekend will be needed to determine the entire length.
This is the second EF3 tornado confirmed in Florida from Hurricane Milton.
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