Tornado in Florida, September 17, 2000

A tornado, on the high end of the F1 scale, associated with an outer band of Hurricane Gordon, touched down on the south side of Sanibel Island and rapidly moved north northwest across Periwinkle Way where it removed roofs, destroyed lanais, downed trees, power lines and large branches across the island. The tornado then moved over southern Pine Island where it widened to nearly 200 feet in width and uprooted or stripped numerous mangrove trees. The tornado continued rapidly north northwest along and east of County Road 767 until it moved over Little Pine Island. The tornado caused significant roof damage to two businesses and at least ten homes, carports, garages and lanais along Pine Island Road, west of Matlacha, before it dissipated on the northern side of Little Pine Island. Also, more than a dozen trees were uprooted and five utility poles downed by the tornado along Pine Island Road near west of Matlacha. Residents along Pine Island Road indicated that the torndo sounded like a loud machine or train as it passed overhead.