Tornado in Monroe County, Florida

A multivortex tornado touched down just west of U.S. 1 near mile marker 100. The tornado moved north northeast at 30 mph passing across ten housing subdivision, mostly mobile home parks. It damaged about 600 structures, tore down utility lines, damaged vessels and destroyed a great deal of foliage. The tornado crossed to the east of U.S. 1 near the intersection of Highway 905, overturning a semi tractor trailer, and continue north northeast for about six miles damaging house roofs and foliage.

Tornado damage path began oceanfront at 73rd Street Ocean (F1) in Marathon and moved northeast, crossing U.S. Highway 1 near 76th Street Ocean, passing through Marathon Airport before entering Florida Bay near the Sea Air Estates Subdivision. Most signficant damage (F2) included concrete block residential structure shifted on foundation…a frame residence shifted on pilings, and bent large steel I-Beams on recently constructed hangars at Marathon Airport. One boat sunk in canal. Extensive damage to porches and trees along narrow path.

A violent waterspout associated with a supercell made landfall as a tornado in Lower Matecumbe Key at Sunset Drive and moved northwest, crossing U.S. Highway One and then along Palm Drive through a residential section near Mile Marker 74 on the Overseas Highway. The tornado damage path ended on Buttonwood Lane before reaching Florida Bay. Most damage was to deck railings, screens, windows and soffits on numerous homes. A few homes displayed more significant damage, including penetration through exterior doors and walls, with one home losing 50 percent of its roof decking. The EF1 rating with estimated maximum wind speeds of 90 to 100 mph was based on roof damage to a residence along Palm Drive. Debris from sheet metal paneling and mangrove branches may have contributed to a major power outage throughout all of the Keys from Islamorada through Key West as it was carried across U.S. Highway One and a major electrical transmission line.