Tornadoes and Damaging Wind in Florida, March 12 to 13, 1993

Tornadoes, Thunderstorm Winds, Hail, Storm Surge, Flooding, Beach Erosion, SnowThe "Storm Of The Century" roared across Florida producing a variety of severe and unusual weather conditions for a period of about 18 hours from late Friday the 12th through late afternoon Saturday the 13th. A severe squall line raced eastward at 50 mph ahead of an intense low producing several tornadoes and strong downbursts as it moved through the state and directly caused seven fatalities. This was followed by a hitherto unknown (for the Gulf Coast) winter storm surge of 9 to 12 feet onto the gulf coast in Taylor County, with storm surges and/or tidal and wind driven flooding of 5 to 9 feet elsewhere along the gulf coast of the state and into the lower Keys. This was followed by a period of 8 to 12 hours of high sustained winds of up to 50 mph with gusts to 70 mph, keeping tides much above normal along the west coast and causing severe beach erosion in many areas. Total number of fatalities from the storm was 47, including 14 from storm surge and flooding, seven from tornadoes and/or strong downbursts, and four from high winds in the aftermath of the squall line. Eleven people drowned offshore in the Gulf of Mexico after strong winds swamped or capsized ships (including seven crewmen from a 200-foot Honduran freighter). Eleven others died during rescue operations and cleanup activities. Meanwhile, colder air poured in behind the intense low with up to four inches of snow falling in the panhandle from north of Pensacola to Crestview, and a trace to 3 inches elsewhere across north Florida. Record or near record low temperatures occurred over much of the state the following two nights. Total property damage was estimated at $1.6 billion.

A tornado formed just west of town and moved in. Fifteen homes were damaged, several heavily. Three people suffered injuries.

A tornado struck a home in which four people were asleep, pinning two of them under a fallen wall and suffocating them. Two others were injured. A nearby mobile home was destroyed killing its elderly occupant. The tornado went on to destroy or damage other mobile homes injuring five more people, and knocking down trees and power lines before dissipating. (F62P)(F05P)(M73M)

Strong thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and power lines.