EF0 tornado, Buchanan to Torrey, Florida, June 24, 2012

1. EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado

   Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

2. EF186 to 110 mph

   Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

3. EF2111 to 135 mph

   Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

4. EF3136 to 165 mph

   Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

5. EF4166 to 200 mph

   Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

6. EF5over 200 mph

   Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

7. Unrated

   The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

Rating

EF0

Date

June 24, 2012

Touchdown

10:15 AM EDT (14:15 UTC)

Lifted

10:30 AM EDT (14:30 UTC)

On the ground

15 minutes

Path length

17.0 miles (27.4 km)

Path width

100 yards (91 m)

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

Property damage

$65,000

County

Hardee County

Touchdown point

27.400, -81.780

Lift-off point

27.630, -81.880

Record number

1206240815-01

Tropical Storm Debby lingered for several days over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico and caused high winds and heavy rain before making landfall near Steinhatchee, FL on the 26th. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarastota counties from 10 AM EDT on June 25th through 8 PM EDT on June 26th.||With the outer bands of Tropical Storm Debby, 11 confirmed tornadoes occurred on the 24th. Strong sustained winds prompted the closure of the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Heavy rain across the area caused flooding on several area rivers, the most serious of which was on the Anclote River at Elfers. Additionally, coastal flooding from onshore winds caused 3 to 5 feet of storm surge between Suwannee river and Bonita Beach, flooding streets and homes and caused major beach erosion. ||In total, 6 fatalities were attributed to Tropical Storm Debby in the area. One indirect fatality from a car accident due to hydroplaning and 5 direct fatalities caused by a tornado, rip current, and three people drowned due to fresh water flooding.||In Levy County, tropical storm force winds were felt along the coast as Tropical Storm Debby moved onshore on the afternoon of the 26th. Heavy rainfall of over 8 inches fell across the county from the 24th through the 26th, with the highest storm total rainfall reported at the CoCoRaHS site near Chiefland of 13.42 inches. The tide gauge at Cedar Key measured a peak tide of 6.78 feet MLLW on the evening of the 25th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the calculated highest storm surge was 4.49 feet MLLW late in the evening of the 25th. The surge flooded a few buildings at Cedar Key and Yankeetown. In total, around $175K in damage to public property was recorded. ||In Citrus County, rainfall of over 9 inches fell across the county from Tropical Storm Debby, with the highest storm total rainfall reported at the CoCoRaHS site near Hernando of 12.07 inches. The storm caused mostly minor damage, however, significant damage occurred with a tornado and several homes were flooded with 1 to 3 feet of water. The Kings Bay neighborhood had significant street flooding on the 25th and 26th. Additionally, several streets were flooded in Homosassa with up to 2 feet of water covering roadways on the 26th. The storm impacted 140 residents or a total of $127 thousand. Total individual assistance of $127K was paid out to 140 residents, including $112K in damage to housing. ||In Hernando County, tropical storm force wind gusts were measured at the Brooksville Airport on the afternoon of the 24th. Heavy rainfall of over 8 inches fell across the entire county, with the highest storm total of 16.47 inches reported at the CoCoRaHS site near High Point. The storm caused mostly flood damage of $940 thousand and impacted 1,190 individuals and businesses. At least 83 sink holes opened up as a result of the rain, including one on a runway at the county airport. Storm surge pushed water onto Pine Island, flooding a parking lot and picnic area on the morning of the 25th.||In Sumter County, heavy rain of over 6 inches was measured across the county, with the highest storm total reported at the CoCoRaHS site at Bushnell of 10.89 inches. The heavy rain led to several flooded homes in Lake Panasoffkee, as well as sink holes in Lake Panasoffkee and The Villages.||In Pasco County, rainfall of 6 inches or more was measured across the county. The highest storm total rainfall reported was at the CoCoRaHS site near Port Richey, with a total of 14.07 inches. Storm surge flooded several streets in Hudson on the 24th and 25th, with water up to the bumpers on cars. Water was on the roadways on Old Dixie Highway north of Clark Street in Hudson. Damage totaled $4.38 million and impacted 2,606 families. Additionally, $4.73 million in damage was recorded to public property, including $3.80 million to area beaches. ||In Pinellas County, wide spread frequent wind gusts of 39 mph or stronger were reported on the 24th, the highest of which was a 56 mph wind gust at Saint Petersburg Albert Whitted Airport on the morning of the 24th. Rainfall of at least 9 inches was reported across the entire county, with the highest storm total rain total of 15.26 inches near the Palm Harbor CoCoRaHS site. A total of 1,671 applications for individual assistance were filed, totaling $900 thousand. This value is a gross underestimate of the total damage, but was the best number available at the time. The tide gauge at Clearwater Beach measured a peak tide of 5.43 feet MLLW on the afternoon of the 24th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the calculated highest storm surge was 3.10 feet on the evening of the 24th. The tide gauge at Saint Petersburg measured a peak tide of 4.87 feet MLLW on the evening of the 25th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was calculated as 3.56 feet late on the evening of the 25th. Significant street flooding was reported in Tarpon springs and Saint Petersburg. Along Dodecanese Boulevard in Tarpon Springs, street flooding was up to the foundations of several businesses. In Treasure Island, Gulf Boulevard between 107 St. south and Saint Johns pass was flooded with cars stranded. In Clearwater, waves were splashing over the seawalls. In Gulfport, water rose up to the bumpers of cars and flooded streets. Damage to public beaches from erosion was estimated at $3M.||In Hillsborough County, frequent wind gusts of 39 to 51 MPH were measured at the AWOS at MacDill Air Force Base on the 24th. Storm total rainfall of greater than 5 inches fell across the county, with the highest report of 11.91 inches at the CoCoRaHS site near Citrus Park. Damage was reported to 74 buildings inculding 6 that were destroyed. Damage to public buildings totaled $449 thousand. The tide gauge at Old Port Tampa measured a peak tide of 5.42 feet MLLW on the evening of the 25th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was calculated as 3.97 feet late in the evening of the 25th. The tide gauge at McKay Bay measured a peak tide of 4.43 feet MLLW on the evening of the 25th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was calculated as 4.07 feet late on the evening of the 25th. Storm surge water flooded Bay Shore Boulevard for three days. ||In Polk County, rainfall of greater than 3 inches was reported across the county, with the highest storm total rain total of 8.71 inches reported near the Lakeland Highlands CoCoRaHS station. Much of the reported damage was related to tornadoes. In all, 125 homes were damaged totaling $5 million. ||In Manatee County, the Sarastota-Bradenton Airport reported frequent gusts of 39 tp 55 MPH on the 24th. Rainfall of over 5 inches was reported across the county, with the highest storm total of 8.24 inches near the Bradenton CoCoRaHS site. The storm damaged 278 homes and businesses due to wind and flooding and totaled $130 thousand. Damage to public beaches totaled $5.9 million with $300 thousand to public buildings. ||In Sarasota County, the Venice AWOS reported frequent wind gusts of between 39 to 50 MPH during the morning of the 24th. Additionally, several homes were damaged from thunderstorm wind gusts in Sarasota and at the La Casa Mobile Home Park. Storm total rain of over 3 inches fell across the county with the highest report of 9.25 inches near the Lake Sarasota CoCoRaHS site. Wind and floods damaged 52 structures or a total of $540 thousand. A lifeguard stairs stand was destroyed on Lido Beach, and the stairs stand on another lifeguard stand on Siesta Key was detached but sustained no damage. Also at Lido Beach, high water flooded a parking lot. Damage to area beaches from erosion was estimated at $1.9 million. ||In Hardee County, 5.78 inches of rain was recorded from the storm at the COOP site at Wauchula. The only reported damage was caused by a tornado in a rural area.||In De Soto County, the FAWN station at Arcadia measured a 52 mph wind gust on the 25th. Storm total rainfall of 5.70 inches was reported at the COOP site at Arcadia.||In Highlands County, the highest storm total rainfall reported was 5.43 inches at the CoCoRaHS site near Lake Placid. Total damages of $1.30 million were reported, mostly from tornado damage.||In Charlotte County, the Charlotte County Airport recorded a 55 mph wind gust during the evening of the 24th. The highest storm total rainfall report was 5.25 inches near the Englewood CoCoRaHS site. Damage $2.50 million was recorded, mostly to beaches. In Charlotte Harbor, storm surge reached the top of a boat ramp and flooded a picnic area. Damage to county beaches from erosion was estimated at $2.5 million. ||In Lee County, the highest storm total rainfall reported was 4.95 inches at the Cape Coral CoCoRaHS station. The county suffered $2.3 million in damage to beaches, mostly on Captiva Island and Sanibel, while another $300 thousand in damage to homes was recorded. The tide gauge at Fort Myers measured a peak tide of 3.98 feet MLLW on afternoon of the 25th. Subtracting the predicted astronomical tide, the highest storm surge was calculated as 3.09 feet on the afternoon of the 25th. Lighthouse Road in Sanibel suffered erosion and was closed by Sanibel Police on the morning of the 25th.

Sporadic damage to orange groves along path. One barn received moderate damage and tractor damage.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

15 minutes of warning. NWS TBW issued a tornado warning for this county at 14:00 UTC, 15 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 14:30 UTC.

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a General Thunderstorms Risk. The outlook in force was issued at 12:12 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

The Tampa radar (KTBW), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 14:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

The live radar over the trackEvery 2012 tornado in FloridaEvery tornado in Florida since 1950Warnings in force in Florida nowThe forecast where you are

21 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.