Indian River County - Tuesday October 18, 2022: A survey team from the National Weather Service in Melbourne has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Vero Beach Monday evening causing damage to a number of homes at the Midway Estates mobile home park.
NWS Meteorologist Tim Sedlock told WQCS News that a survey team examined the damage Tuesday morning. They rated the twister as a weak EF-ZERO with winds of between 65 and 85 mph, the lowest rated type of tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning about 7:15 pm Monday evening after radar indicated some circulation in the area. Not long after the Indian River County Sheriff's office reports that the twister was spotted near the 400 block of 23rd Street SE.
A number of mobile homes were damaged and tree limbs blown down by the tornado. "There were minor damages to screen enclosures and vegetation," states a post on the IRC Sheriff's Facebook page. The winds also downed power lines on the southeast side of the mobile home park.
IRC Fire Rescue responded along with the Sheriff's office. The Red Cross also went to the scene to provide assistance. There were no reported injuries.
READ the NWS report on the EF-0 Tornado below:
A National Weather Service Melbourne damage survey confirms that a brief EF-0 tornado touched down in the Midway Estates mobile home community in Vero Beach. The tornado continued to the east-southeast for approximately 4 minutes along a 0.5 mile long track until it dissipated as it crossed into the Vero Shores residential community. The tornado had a maximum width of
approximately 100 yards and peak winds estimated between 75-85 mph.
Damage was first noted near the entrance to the Midway Estates community when the tornado touched down at approximately 641 PM EDT near the intersection of Douglas and Debra Lanes. Indian River Emergency Management documented 16 homes with at least some damage, with more substantial damage noted toward the southeast corner of the community. Most of these homes suffered at least some damage to their metal roofs, awnings, siding, and skirting.
Several carport and porch awnings were torn away from homes and lofted into neighboring yards, and a portion of one home`s roof was lost into the neighboring woods.
The tornado continued into the Vero Shores residential community where damage was noted to large oak trees and several boat lift awnings. Notably, a carport overhang from a home in neighboring Midway Estates landed in a resident`s driveway at the corner of 5th Ct SE. The tornado lifted at approximately 645 PM EDT near the intersection of 5th Ct SE and 22nd St SE.
There were no direct injuries or fatalities as a result of the tornado.