Tornado, Monroe
- When
- April 15, 7:12 PM EST to 7:20 PM EST
- Where
- Monroe County, 2.95 mi SW of Tavernier to 2.3 mi SSW of Tavernier
- Rating
- EF1
- Path length
- 0.88 mi
- Path width
- 60 yd
- Property damage
- $4,000
- Reported by
- NWS Storm Survey
- Coordinates
- 24.988, -80.551
Summary: A waterspout or funnel cloud was observed backlit by |lightning over Florida Bay shortly before making landfall as a |tornado at Indian Mound Trail of the Indian Waterways subdivision of |Plantation Key, Islamorada. Large gumbo limbo tree limbs were downed |as well as the top of a palm tree, landing 20 yards from streetside |the front steps of a residence. And adjacent residence had a rolling |driveway gate completely dislodged from its mounts, pushed into a |trailered boat and car. The tornado continue to produce mostly |damage to large limbs of hardwood trees, including gumbo limbo and |mahogany, in a path rarely exceeded two residential properties in |width toward the east-northeast. An entire gutter and downspout |system was removed from a residence. Numerous loose items, including |filled trash cans and lawn/patio furniture was moved from the |backyards and understory of homes onto front lawns and streets. Most |of the observed damage in the Indian Waterways community were |consistent with 60 to 70 mph, with possible spot values near 75 mph.
The tornado crossed a patch of mangroves and undeveloped forest, and |reached greatest intensity at San Pedro Catholic Church. There, a |large tree split at the trunk, and an old-growth mahogany was |uprooted, falling toward the east onto a portion of the structure |connecting the rectory with the main church. Fortunately, the upper |portion of the tree did not substantially damage the roof, with no |leaks observed in the downpour that followed. However, several |barrel tiles were removed from the peak ridges forming the hip roof |pattern over the rectory, as well as from the southeast edge of the |church, onto the top of the church's main entrance. Numerous large |limbs were downed toward the east, with lightweight free-standing |signs deposited northward cross the tornado path from right to left.|Estimated wind speeds were maximized in the range of 90 to 100 mph |with maximum width near 60 yards. Good impact reference made to the |observed wind impacts at this location from recent Hurricane Irma, |all having previously been removed or repaired.
The tornado continued toward the east-northeast, crossing U.S. |Highway 1 and the Old Highway, but weakened such that only large |tree limbs were downed. From this point, the tornado likely moved |out over the oceanside as a waterspout into Hawk Channel, southwest |of the oceanside entrance to Tavernier Creek.