Public Information Statement National Weather Service Miami FL 231 PM EDT Sun Apr 30 2023 ...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 04/29/23 TORNADO EVENT... .Palm Beach Gardens EF-2 Tornado... .OVERVIEW...A cell merger that began between the Turnpike and Interstate 95 in Palm Beach Gardens was able to take advantage of a favorable environment for tornadoes and spawn an EF2 tornado. The tornado began just east of Interstate 95 and moved northeast across A1A, passing just south of the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. As it moved through the Sanctuary Cove community it turned more north-northeasterly crossing PGA Blvd near the intersection with US 1. After a short trek up US 1, the tornado dissipated before reaching Juno Beach. Rating: EF-2 Estimated peak wind: 130 mph Path length (statute): 2.61 miles Path width (maximum): 320 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start date: 04/29/2023 Start time: 05:10 PM EDT Start location: 1 ESE Palm Beach Gardens / Palm Beach County / FL Start lat/lon: 26.8251 / -80.0897 End date: 04/29/2023 End time: 05:21 PM EDT End location: 2 S Juno Beach / Palm Beach County / FL End_lat/lon: 26.8495 / -80.0593Survey Summary Light tree damage consistent with an EF0 was noted near the determined starting point of the tornado. The tornado strengthened quickly to an EF1 as it moved through the Gardens East apartment complex. Significant tree damage ranging from uprooted trees to snapped trunks were noted in this community. The tornado then moved through the Sandalwood Estates community off of Burns road. Quite a bit of tree debris was scattered throughout this community, with several large trees completely uprooted. One notable damage indicator was a greater than 3 inch diameter branch that pierced the metal roof of a residence. A countless number of large branches were stripped from trees throughout the community with a few snapped trunks near the worst of the damage in this area. The tornado then moved through the Rainwood community where a home suffered broken windows and had many shingles removed. Similar tree damage continued into this neighborhood. At this point the tornado crossed Prosperity Farms road and entered the Sanctuary Cove community where it strengthened to EF2 intensity. Some of the most substantial structural damage was noted here with collapsed roofs, broken windows, and removed roofing material. There was also some debarking of trees noted here. The EF2 tornado then cross the North Palm Beach Waterway where it completely destroyed a manufactured home along the canals bank. As the tornado moved NNE it crossed into the Point at Palm Beach Gardens community where it created minor structural damage to the complex, but had some of its most photographed moments as cars were displaced, flipped, and stacked on each other. The tornado then moved through the City Centre where considerable tree, light post, and street sign damage was noted. As it crossed PGA Blvd the tornado destroyed a dry cleaners business, collapsed large light poles, and even caused a concrete electrical pole to lean. The last notable damage was still at EF2 strength when the tornado crossed US 1 and caused two cars to be flipped and displaced on the opposite side of US 1. Several videos of the incident were witnessed, as well as one from inside the vehicle, and the survey crew was able to interview one of the drivers. The tornado quickly lifted after crossing US 1 where it caused minor tree damage in a shopping center. && EF scale: The Enhanced Fujita scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories. EF0...weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...violent...>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.
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