2007 Central Florida Tornadoes

Damage to a home in Deland, Florida
Date of tornado outbreak:	February 2, 2007
Duration1:	4 hours 50 minutes - 3:10 AM to 8:00 AM
Maximum rated tornado2:	EF3 tornado
Tornadoes caused:	4
Damages:	$204 million[1]
Fatalities:	21
Areas affected:	Central Florida
1Time from first tornado to last tornado 2Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita Scale

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 totaled to $204 million.^[2]

This tornado was the very first tornado to be classified with the Enhanced Fujita Scale developed almost exactly a year prior to the event.^[3]

Confirmed tornadoes

Ariel view of damage caused by a tornado in Lake Mack.

The first tornado touched down at about 3:15 am EST (0815 UTC) in northeastern Sumter County, near Wildwood.^[4] 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.^[5]

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 16.2 miles (26 km) long and 1/4 mile (450 m) wide. Eight people were killed in Lady Lake.^[6]

A doppler weather 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 26 miles (41.8 km) long and 1/4 mile (450 m) wide.^[7]

It was described as "much more devastating" than any of the hurricanes that hit the state in 2004 and 2005.^[8]

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.^[9]

"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.^[10]

A fourth tornado, EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, was confirmed in the final review of 2007. This tornado was short lived, traveling only half a mile, leaving only minor, if any, damage behind. This tornado occurred about 2 hours 40 minutes after the three main tornadoes.

Aftermath

Tornado Damage in Sumter County

A state of emergency was 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.^[11][12]

The Salvation Army deployed 5 mobile canteens to the affected area.^[13]

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.[1]

References

See also

• List of North American 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 weather radar loop of the event
• WBBH-TV, First Alert Power Doppler HD loop of Event