South Florida Tornado Outbreak March 2003

...March 27, 2003 South Florida Tornado Outbreak Summary...

Overview

On the afternoon of March 27, 2003, six confirmed tornadoes touched down in portions of south Florida. The most intense tornado, rated as F2 (113-157 mph) on the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale, hit Miami-Dade County in the Brownsville-Liberty City section at 5:46 P.M. EST, killing one man, injuring twelve others and causing an estimated $13 million in damage. Two other tornadoes, rated at F1 intensity (73-112 mph) occurred, one in Naples and the other in an area from North Miami Beach to Hallandale Beach. No casualties were reported with either of these tornadoes and total damage was estimated near $125 thousand. Three other tornadoes of unknown intensity occurred in sparsely populated areas of interior south Florida, one at Ochopee in Collier County, a second from near Devils Garden in Hendry County to south of Belle Glade in western Palm Beach County, and a third near the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in west central Miami-Dade County. None of these tornadoes caused any casualties or significant damage. A more detailed description of individual tornadoes is found at the end of this summary.

Meteorological Synopsis

A low pressure center in the northeast Gulf of Mexico on March 27, 2003 moved eastward into north Florida, a common occurrence during an El Nino winter. A cold front from the low center moved ashore from the southeast Gulf of Mexico into southwest Florida. During the afternoon shear profiles and thermo- and hydrodynamic factors became more favorable across south Florida and numerous supercell thunderstorms formed along and ahead of the front moving generally toward the east northeast at 15 to 20 mph.

Outlooks, Watches and Warnings

The morning daily Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the Miami Weather Forecast Office (WFO) highlighted the possibility of severe thunderstorms during the day. At 2:15 P.M. EST, after consultation with the WFO Miami, the Storm Prediction Center issued a Tornado Watch for all of peninsular south Florida until 7 P.M. EST. A total of nine tornado warnings, covering 13 counties were issued by WFO Miami between 2:24 P.M. and 5:53 P.M . The average lead time was 23 minutes with a maximum of 51 minutes before the F2 Brownsville tornado.

History

This tornado outbreak was the worst one in south Florida in terms of number and intensity of tornadoes since the "Groundhog Day" outbreak on February 2, 1998, when an F2 intensity tornado and several others ravaged an area from Miami Springs to Hialeah to Opa Locka to Miramar causing an estimated $175 million. The Brownsville-Liberty City tornado was only the fifth tornado of F2 intensity to be observed in Miami-Dade County since 1950. The strongest and most deadly tornado in Miami-Dade County history occurred on April 5, 1925 when an F3 (158-206 mph) tornado killed 5 people and injured more than 35 in the northern portion of the county. As during the last big tornado outbreak in 1998, El Nino conditions were likely influencing south Florida's weather.

Summary of Individual Tornadoes

County Time Intensity Width Length Deaths Injuries Damage

Collier 1420 F1 50 yd 1 mile 0 0 $50 thousand

Collier 1500 Unk Unk Unk 0 0 None

Hendry- 1500 Unk Unk Unk 0 0 None

Palm Beach

Miami-Dade 1530 Unk Unk Unk 0 0 None

Miami-Dade- 1715 F1 300 yd 2 miles 0 0 $75 thousand

Broward

Miami-Dade 1746 F2 600 yd 6 miles 1 12 $3-4 million

Description of Tornado Damage

The Brownsville-Liberty City tornado first touched down at 5:46 PM EST in East Hialeah, near

NE 2nd Street and E 4th Avenue causing F0 (40-72mph) damage to foliage. The tornado intensified to category F1 (73-112mph) as it moved east across E 9^th Avenue. It achieved a maximum intensity of F2 (113-157 mph) with a maximum width of 1/3 mile in an area from NW 37^th to 27^th Avenues in the Brownsville area. The intensity decreased to F1 (74-112 mph) as it moved east through Liberty City. The intensity further decreased to F0 as the tornado turned northeast and lifted just before entering Biscayne Bay near NE 70^th Street. The total path length was six miles.

F1 to F2 damage began in an industrial area where several warehouse roofs were damaged. One large free-span roof was nearly completely torn off. Several semi-tractor trailers, apparently empty, were toppled over in this area, one of which fell onto two vehicles, crushing them. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. The tornado damaged the sound-proofing panels at a Metrorail Transit Platform. The tornado then moved into the residential area known as Brownsville, heavily damaging 60 homes. At one of the homes, a 65-year old male who was sitting in his house was killed when debris, penetrated the structure. His wife who took shelter in the bathroom was uninjured. A total of 343 other structures sustained minor damage, mostly to roofs and windows. Several cars were rolled over. Numerous utility poles were broken, large trees were uprooted, and signs were downed.

The North Miami Beach-Hallandale Beach Tornado touched down near the southeast corner of the Presidential Golf Course in North Miami Beach at approximately 5:15 PM EST. It traveled north northeast for about two miles before lifting in Hallandale Beach. The maximum width of 200 yards and the maximum intensity of F1 (73-112 mph) occurred between NE 17th and 19th Avenues from 196th to 200th Streets. Damage occurred to several house roofs, screened porches and trees.

The Naples Tornado touched down in the Poinciana Village, two to three miles north of Naples Municipal Airport at 2:20 PM EST. It's maximum intensity was estimated as F1 (73-112 mph), its path width was about 25 to 50 yards wide and its path length was estimated as one mile. Damage occurred to the shingles and wood on several roofs, and trees were blown down.

Summary of South Florida Tornado Warnings

Event Warning Warning Warning Lead

Location Beginning Time Issued Issued Time Verified Time (mins)

Collier, Naples 1420 N 1424 Y 0

Collier, Ochopee 1500 Y 1424 Y 36

Palm Beach, Okeelnta 1500 Y 1436 Y 24

Hendry, Dvls Gard 1501 Y 1436 Y 25

Hendry, Dvls Gard 1501 Y 1449 Y 12

Miami-Dade,Micoskee 1530 Y 1511 Y 19

Palm Beach N/A Y 1526 N N/A

Broward N/A Y 1557 N N/A

Miami-Dade N/A Y 1557 N N/A

Palm Beach N/A Y 1617 N N/A

Miami-Dade, NMB 1715 Y 1655 Y 20

Broward, Hlndl Bch 1735 Y 1655 Y 40

Miami-Dade, Brnsvl 1746 Y 1655 Y 51

Miami-Dade,Brnsvl 1746 Y 1753 Y 0

Totals 6 Tornado 13 Counties 10 Warnings Avg: 23 mins

Events Warned Verified

Miscellaneous Unwarned Counties: 0 POD 7/7= 1.00

Unverified Warnings: 4 FAR 4/14=0.29