As Hurricane Milton approached, Floridians prepared for its impact, but residents in Wellington faced a tornado that struck their neighborhoods hours before the storm hit. CBS News reported that the tornado touched down around 4 p.m. yesterday, causing damage to several homes near Wellington's National Golf Course, as noted by Morgan Schorr.
The tornado not only affected Wellington but also moved through Loxahatchee, according to The Palm Beach Post. Neighbors told CBS News Miami that at least a dozen homes were damaged, with uprooted trees and debris scattered across blocks, as houses faced the impact of the storm.
Debbie Schuster shared her experience with CBS News, stating, "I could hear the windows breaking. I was terrified. I thought the house was going to collapse." Thankfully, there were no reports of serious injuries, as echoed in Schuster's relief, "Thankfully everyone's life was spared."
In an unfortunate turn of events, the tornado also left its mark on the Aero Club and Binks Forest neighborhoods, marred with debris, a sight confirmed by Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone from his patio. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, amid the chaos, transported five people to hospitals, of which three were directed to a trauma center, as they responded to the distressing series of events, The Palm Beach Post reported. Amidst the rescue operations, several individuals were extracted from the clutches of overturned cars and damaged structures.
Residents are now dealing with the aftermath, facing a changed landscape. The tornado, part of several that struck South Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, led local officials to issue mandatory evacuation orders for certain areas, particularly those with vulnerable housing or near rising water levels.
