NZUS92 KMLB 122103
LLLMLB
FLZ041-044>046-053-058-141-144-154-159-164-247-254-259-264-347-447-547-647-747-130903-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
503 PM EDT Sat Oct 12 2024

...NWS Damage Survey for Martin County Tornado Event...

.Stuart Tornado #2...

Rating:                 EF-2
Estimated Peak Wind:    120 mph
Path Length /statute/:  5.7 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   400 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               1

Start Date:             10/09/2024
Start Time:             535 PM EDT
Start Location:         Hobe Sound, FL 
Start Lat/Lon:          27.0803, -80.1932

End Date:               10/09/2024
End Time:               546 PM EDT
End Location:           Stuart, FL 
End Lat/Lon:            27.1620, -80.1791

Survey Summary:

A National Weather Service Melbourne damage survey confirms that an EF-2 tornado impacted Stuart, FL on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. 

A tornado, embedded within one of Hurricane Miltons outer rainbands, touched down in a wooded rural area in between I-95 and US-1 around 535 PM EDT; however, Melbourne radar indicates that the system may have touched down further to the south near the Palm Beach and Martin County line. Updates will be made to the track as additional damage becomes available. 

Damage began in the Lost Lake subdivision before the tornado moved north into The Preserve, where vegetative damage was extensive and numerous concrete block homes experienced significant tile loss. The tornado moved north into the Mariner Sands community, where some of the most significant damage occurred along its nearly 6 mile long path. Several wood-framed homes experienced total roof loss and partial wall collapse due to estimated winds of 110 to 120 mph. One resident who was trapped under his fallen roof was extracted and transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. 

The strong tornado then intersected the Manatee Creek subdivision where nearly 30 wood-framed homes experienced major damage in the form of roof loss and/or wall collapse from winds up to 120 mph. Finally, the circulation persisted into Rocky Point, where the eastern side of the subdivision experienced more sporadic damage in the roof of partial roof loss, soffit damage, and downed trees and power lines. Based on radar data, the tornado likely became a waterspout as it moved into the Intracoastal where it dissipated shortly thereafter. 

The National Weather Service Office in Melbourne sends its sincerest thanks to the Martin County Fire Rescue and Emergency Management as well as other county partners for their extensive and ongoing coordination. Appreciation is also extended to local broadcast media, trained spotters, and local residents for providing information before and during the storm survey.

&&

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0.....65 to 85 mph
EF1.....86 to 110 mph
EF2.....111 to 135 mph
EF3.....136 to 165 mph
EF4.....166 to 200 mph
EF5.....>200 mph

&&

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.

$$

Ulrich/Leahy