Hurricane Milton took many Floridians by surprise, not just with its heavy rain and storm surges, but with an outbreak of powerful tornadoes. Dozens of twisters tore across the state, ripping off roofs, downing trees, and causing widespread destruction. Residents in areas like Ft. Pierce felt the intensity as the storm unexpectedly unleashed its fury.
In the Holiday Pines neighborhood of Ft. Pierce, Debbie Jones knew something was wrong when her ears began popping, a sign of the sudden drop in pressure. Her family quickly sought shelter, huddling together with their dogs as debris pounded their home. “All of a sudden, the power went out, the wind picked up, and the debris started hitting loudly,” said Megan Brown, who was with Jones’ family at the time.
Since Wednesday night, there have been 38 preliminary reports of tornadoes in Florida, a state that typically sees around 50 in an entire year. Meteorologists expect the number of confirmed tornadoes to rise as damage assessments continue. According to Matthew Elliott from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the sheer number of tornadoes in such a short time frame has made this storm especially notable.
Tragically, at least five people lost their lives due to tornadoes in the Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, with officials warning that the death toll could rise. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, during a White House briefing, reported up to 10 potential fatalities, though those figures remain tentative.
One of the unusual aspects of Milton was the intensity of the tornadoes. While hurricanes can produce tornadoes, they are usually weak. However, Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University, noted that the tornadoes spawned by Milton resembled the kind of twisters typically seen in the Great Plains during spring, far stronger than the usual ones associated with hurricanes.
Milton’s unique conditions, with the storm lingering offshore and creating atmospheric instability, provided the perfect breeding ground for these tornadoes. The storm’s right-front quadrant—where tornadoes most often form in hurricanes—saw the brunt of the action. The heat and humidity, combined with wind shear, created an “incredibly favorable environment” for the twisters to grow, said Gensini.
While earlier storms like Hurricane Beryl had produced numerous tornadoes this year, Milton’s impact is notable because all of its tornadoes occurred in Florida within just eight to ten hours. Although separating damage caused by tornadoes from hurricane-related destruction can be difficult, experts stress the importance of accurately recording tornado activity, especially during such rare events.
Florida, known for having the highest number of tornadoes per square mile in the U.S., is no stranger to these storms. However, the tornadoes from Hurricane Milton, reminiscent of past catastrophic events like the 1998 Central Florida tornado outbreak, serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and deadly nature of these powerful forces.
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