2007 CENTRAL FLORIDA TORNADOES

(Redirected from Central Florida Tornado of February 2007)

The '2007 Central Florida Tornadoes' were a localized, but devastating, tornado event that took place in central Florida early on February 2, 2007. Initially thought to have been one tornado, but later confirmed as three separate ones, they destroyed many houses and businesses and killed at least 21 people (one of whom died two weeks after the tornado hit). It is the deadliest tornado outbreak in Florida since the Kissimmee Tornado Outbreak killed 42 people in 1998 (25 from one tornado). Damage was estimated at over $270 million.[1]

Contents
Reported tornadoes
Aftermath
Trivia
References
See also
External links

Reported tornadoes


The first tornado touched down at about 3:15 am EST (0815 UTC) in northeastern Sumter County, near Wildwood.[3] In Sumter County, hundreds of houses were severely damaged or destroyed, however, no injuries or fatalities were reported. That portion of the track was rated as a low-end 'EF3' tornado.[4]
It then tracked into western Lake County. It tracked across the county, and slammed into The Villages and then into Lady Lake, with devastating results. Mobile homes were flattened, solid structures were destroyed and tree damage was extensive. It left a path of destruction 15 miles (24 km) long and 1/4 mile (400 m) wide. Eight people were killed in Lady Lake.[5]
A doppler radar image indicating the likely presence of a tornado over DeLand, Florida.

A second tornado developed near Paisley, Lake Mack area, at 3:48 am EST (0848 UTC) and tracked across eastern Lake County into Volusia County. The results were also devastating, with similar damage. 13 people were killed in Lake Mack, for a total of 21 (all in Lake County). As it crossed the county line, the damage was somewhat less but still extensive in DeLand. Many vehicles also were thrown off Interstate 4 in the area. This was rated as a high-end 'EF3' tornado with a path that was 22 miles (35 km) long and 1/4 mile (400 m) wide.[5]
It was described as "much more devastating" than any of the hurricanes that hit the state in 2004 and 2005.[7]
A third tornado also touched down in New Smyrna Beach and tracked into Ponce Inlet in coastal Volusia County. It was an 'EF1' tornado that left structural damage to many houses, mostly significant roof and chimney damage.[5]
"We are doing house-to-house searches at this time," Lake County's emergency services' chief Jerry Smith said. Officials say it could take several days to determine the exact number of dead.[9]

Aftermath


Tornado Damage in Sumter County

A state of emergency has been declared by Governor Charlie Crist for the areas affected.
The American Red Cross opened at least 7 shelters in the disaster affected region, with their partners, the Southern Baptists providing food. The organization also sent 40,000 meals and recruited almost 400 volunteers from across the nation to provide assistance to the local disaster relief efforts. More than 30 Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles for community food and supply distribution were deployed. [1] [2]
The Salvation Army deployed 5 mobile canteens to the affected area. [3]
Seventeen yearling Whooping Cranes are believed to have been killed on their wintering grounds. From their flock, only a single bird is known to have survived.[4]

Trivia


This tornado made history for the US as it was the very first tornado to be classified with the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which was developed almost an exact year prior to this event.[10]

References


1. http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms
2. http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms
3. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/html/tbw/TopNewsOfTheDay1.htm
4. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/html/tbw/feb2/PNSTBW.txt
5. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=PNSMLB&max=10
6. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=PNSMLB&max=10
7. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070202/us_nm/usa_tornado_dead_dc_7
8. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=PNSMLB&max=10
9. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6326691.stm
10. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/surveys/020207/index.html

See also



List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks

Tornadoes of 2007

External links



WESH tornado coverage


What We Know: County By County (kept up-to-date)

NWS Melbourne surveys

★ Orlando Sentinel


Damage map


Shelter Information


Lake County Information


Photo gallery

Doppler radar loop of the event

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