An exceptionally strong tornado was produced by a tropical cyclone in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, as reported by a storm damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Miami. The preliminary EF3 rating of the tornado could potentially increase based on additional damage found during what is expected to be a multi-day survey.
Survey crews have already identified storm damage indicative of a tornado with winds reaching as high as 140 mph, categorizing it as an EF3 tornado. The Avenir community in Palm Beach Gardens experienced considerable structural damage, with brand new, well-built homes showing signs of destruction such as missing segments of concrete block walls and large sections of roofs being removed.
Historical data from NOAA dating back to 1995 reveals that no tropical system in Florida has previously produced a tornado rated stronger than EF2, with wind speeds ranging from 111 to 135 mph. While this tornado may be a first-of-its-kind event for the state, it may not remain unique for long.
Following the record number of tornado warnings issued across the state due to the impact of the cyclone named Milton, multiple weather service offices will be conducting damage surveys in various Florida counties in the upcoming days.
Although tornadoes spawned by landfalling tropical systems are not uncommon, they are typically weak and short-lived. The majority of tornadoes within such systems are categorized as EF0 or EF1. Despite the rarity of EF3 tornadoes in tropical systems, Hurricanes Beryl, Debby, Helene, and now Milton have all generated at least one EF3 tornado in the United States this year.
