As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, multiple tornado touchdowns were reported in several counties, including Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie. Recent WSVN reports noted that tornadoes were observed forming, including two in western Broward County and a possible twister in Southwest Miami-Dade. Traffic cameras near Alligator Alley captured images of a tornado in its early stages as confused drivers passed by.
St. Lucie County was also affected by severe weather, with Sheriff Keith Pearson confirming loss of life due to the tornadoes, according to a statement from ABC7.
On Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes' crossings over Interstate 75, tracking north with peaked speeds around 25 mph. Larry Batista, trying to evade the impending hurricane, encountered one tornado as he made his evacuation from Tampa towards Southern Florida, exclaiming, "Trying to get out of harm's way, and we're running into another one," in an interview with WSVN.
Camela Chavers, a Weston resident, reported seeing the twister and being stopped from traveling north by the sheriff. Mike Slager from Miami-Dade described the tornado's sound as like a train as it passed through his neighborhood. Eric Herstedt shared that he instinctively lay down on the floor during the storm's peak. The National Weather Service has not yet confirmed if a tornado struck Miami-Dade County while residents assess the severe damage and chaos left in its wake.
In St. Lucie County, first responders are managing the aftermath of tornadoes. Casualties have been reported amid the severe weather. Surveillance and cellphone footage have documented the tornadoes' impact, showing destruction from overturned vehicles to uprooted trees and damaged properties. Cleanup crews are actively working in the affected areas. Brenda Newton, a resident who spoke to WSVN, described the moments when a tornado struck her farm early Wednesday morning, leaving behind shattered wood and injured livestock.
As of late yesterday afternoon, Broward County reported no structural damage or injuries, but the community remains on high alert with a tornado watch in effect for Central Florida, including South Florida and the Florida Keys, until evening.
