Hurricane Milton has extended its reach into South Florida, prompting numerous tornado warnings. Nine or more tornadoes struck South Florida on Wednesday, with reports of damage to homes and uprooted trees in Palm Beach County.
At 5.03pm, a “large and extremely dangerous” tornado was confirmed to be moving north at 40mph over The Acreage, about eight miles north of Wellington. Affected areas include Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves. WPTV-Channel. Video No. 5 shows damaged homes and downed trees in the Wellington area.
The tornado struck the home of Calvin Cearley Sr., who lived in the Wellington Binks Forest Preserve.
“I was watching TV and the news said there was a tornado in the Wellington area,” he said. “Around that time, my son called and said, 'Hey, there's a tornado heading toward you.'” As soon as he finished speaking, my backyard exploded. It sounded like a bomb going off.
He said the tornado ripped through his backyard, leaving a trail of destruction. “It ripped my screen off the pool, ripped a bunch of trees off, ripped shingles off the roof, ripped a tool shed off, and knocked down the tree in front of the house.”
He said it all happened around 5 p.m. He said his neighbor's property appeared to be less damaged than his.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Milton spawned a “tornado supercell,” and at least one tornado was on the ground near Alligator Alley in the Everglades early Wednesday. A supercell thunderstorm is a thunderstorm that produces rotating updrafts that can develop into a tornado.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings multiple times throughout the day for the South Florida region, including parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties. “This is an especially dangerous situation,” the weather service warned. “There is a large and extremely dangerous tornado on the ground. Take tornado precautions immediately. This is an emergency.
WPEC-Ch. 12 video shows damage to a Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood as police walk through debris near a residential road to assess what happened.
Large tornado west and southwest of Wellington, Florida
Large tornado in progress, heading NNE@NWSMiami pic.twitter.com/ma8Nlt9oqm
— Battery Traveler (@IMCFTraveller) October 9, 2024
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Sammy Hadi said more than 153 warnings had been issued for the region.
The weather service visually confirmed eight tornadoes, most along or near Alligator Alley (I-75) and around Lake Okeechobee to the north. Possible tornadoes were also reported in Florida City and Homestead in Miami-Dade County.
“Additional tornadoes remain possible as we remain on the northeast side of Milton today,” the National Weather Service in Miami wrote on X. “Stay alert!”
Ten miles east of Hollyland Wildlife Refuge, or 17 miles southeast of Belgrade, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was moving north at 30 mph.
The weather service warned that “flying debris will pose a hazard to those without shelter” during tornado warnings. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Roofs, windows and vehicles will be damaged. Trees will likely be damaged.
The Sun-Sentinel is making Hurricane Milton coverage free as a public service to all readers. Please consider supporting important breaking news like this by subscribing to SunSentinel.com at a special price.
Around 10 a.m., the National Weather Service released footage of a tornado moving north near Alligator Alley, east of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.
A large wedge tornado is occurring northwest of the Miccosukee Service Plaza.@NWSMiami pic.twitter.com/aPUN81er7s
— Battery Traveler (@IMCFTraveller) October 9, 2024
A tornado just crossed Interstate 75! https://t.co/RZCkn3LlSn pic.twitter.com/27R33J02Kk
— NWSMiami (@NWSMiami) October 9, 2024
The weather service said in a warning that the tornado threat to South Florida will continue into Thursday as Milton moves off the east coast near Melbourne.
In addition to tornadoes, tropical storm force winds are possible in the area. Palm Beach County could see sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 60.
Originally published:
