The National Weather Service says preliminary information shows an EF1 tornado touched down in Flagler County Saturday night, becoming the first one to hit Palm Coast.
An EF1 tornado is classified as having winds between 86 mph and 110 mph.
The tornado was 25 to 75 yards wide. Its length has yet to be determined.
Completed Storm Survey for Palm Coast Tornado:
During the evening hours, between 6:55 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. on December 14,
2013, a tornado with maximum strength of EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale touched down and crossed northern sections of Palm Coast in Flagler County, Florida. The tornado initially touched down north of Espanola on an intermittent track. The tornado then intensified to its maximum strength, 95 to 105 mph, across the B Sections of Palm Coast on a continuous path ranging in width from approximately 75 yards to a maximum of around 150 yards on Bannbury Lane.
The tornado then weakened as it moved northeast toward the coast with a path width of 25 to 50 yards across the F and Hammock sections.
The location of the initial touchdown was near 29.52 degrees north latitude and 81.31 degrees west longitude. The location of the final damage was near 29.61 degrees north latitude and 81.19 degrees west longitude. The total distance between the initial touchdown and final damage is approximately 9.5 miles, with the longest continuous damage path approximately 1 mile in the B section of Palm Coast.
Our thoughts are with those that had storm damage and wish a speedy recovery getting homes repaired quickly. The National Weather Service would like to thank those homeowners who graciously allowed the NWS to survey the damage and provide important information as to what exactly took place. The NWS would also like to thank our emergency management partners in Flagler County for insightful information and their assistance in the survey.
Seventy-seven-year-old Johnny Coberly's home came crashing down around him Saturday night, trapping him inside.
Very little remains of Coberly's home. Part of his roof flew into a neighbor's home while the rest collapsed.
Coberly was pulled to safety by his neighbors with only minor cuts and scratches. A neighbor said he was covered in drywall from head to toe.
According to Cindi Lane, a Palm Coast spokeswoman, 171 homes were affected by the tornado. Seven were destroyed, 22 houses have moderate damage and 142 houses were partially damaged.
The damage is estimated at more than $5.3 million.
The most extensive damage is in the "B" section of the city.
Debris from homes and trees are scattered everywhere.
Mailboxes were crushed, streets signs are on the ground and a basketball hoop is now sitting in a ditch.
Power lines are twisted, with some on the ground and others low hanging.
Emergency leaders said sections “F” and “C” also had major damage.
Residents said it sounded like a train. They heard a loud noise and then an explosion.
"It sounded like a railroad car, a train coming down the road, and when I grabbed my wife to run, I heard a big explosion, and then about 10 to 15 seconds the wind died down," said resident Bill Sposa.
A resident said the storm pushed her car a few feet in a driveway.
Saturday night's tornado warning forced city leaders to cut the light parade short.
At its peak, nearly 3,000 customers were without power Saturday night. A city spokesperson said Florida Power and Light was able to restore power to customers in all but 53 homes, as of Sunday morning.
City and county emergency leaders are urging people to stay home and not venture into the impacted areas.
Thankfully, no major injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile, further south in Volusia County, fire, power and tree removal crews responded to reports of possible tornado touchdowns Sunday morning:
The National Weather Service ruled the damage was from high winds associated with a thunderstorm and not a tornado.
Palm Coast 911 calls:
911: Flagler County, 911, what is your emergency?
Caller: Hello, we’re fine, but a tornado just hit our house.
911: A tornado just hit your house?
C: Yeah
911: OK, what’s the address?
C: (Unintelligible)
911: (Unintelligible), is everybody OK?
C: Yeah, everybody’s fine.
911: Did you actually see the funnel?
C: Yes, it took our two oak trees in our front yard. I don’t know how it missed the house.
911: It took out two oak trees in the front yard?
C: Yes
911: But it didn’t hit the house?
C: I don’t think so. We have a lot of debris in front of the house. The two oak trees are smashed.
911: What is your name?
C: Redacted
911: And your phone number is?
C: Redacted
911: Do you hear anything now?
C: No.
End of call
911: 911, what is the emergency?
Caller: Between Pine Lakes and Belleaire, I guess it is. I don’t know what’s down, but my windshield is smashed through and one of my side windows is. I don’t know if there’s any other cars involved or what.
911: What hit you?
C: I don’t even know.
911: Was it a tornado?
C: Yeah, I think so.
911: OK, you OK?
C: I rolled up the street a little bit and I’m in a parking lot, but I’m scared
911: OK, Ma’am. What is your name?
C: Redacted.
911: By Belleaire, you said?
C: Yeah, I’m in between Belleaire and Pine Lakes.
911: Between Belleaire and Pine Lakes?
C: Yeah
911: OK. And you’re not hurt?
C: Yeah, there’s two other pickup trucks here.
911: OK
C: What was that a tornado? (Background speaker: Oh, my God.)
911: I need you to talk to me. What is your phone number?
C: Redacted.
911: OK, Are you hurt? Are you bleeding anywhere?
C: I don’t think I’m hurt. I can feel glass all over the front.
911: OK
C: I feel OK. She’s got me on the phone. Did you guys have any damage?
911: Are they hurt?
C: They say they’re not hurt.
911: OK, but it hit their car too?
C: It hit their car too, the tornado, but I’m OK to drive my vehicle home.
911: No, I don’t want you to move. I’m going to send you help, OK?
C: What parking lot are we in sir? (Background speaker) We’re in the church on Belle Terre, but it’s before Pine Lakes. It’s on the left-hand side.
911: A church on Belle Terre? Do you know what the name of the church is?
C: No, I don’t know what the church is.
911: OK, but is it the umm…
C: I don’t know what it is. I’d have to get out or back up.
911: OK
C: I hear sirens. I don’t know if there’s wires down back there. There’s tons of trees.
911: Are you at Parkview Baptist?
C: No, I came from Parkview. We did a Christmas special. I was coming home from that, but they closed down because of the lightning.
911: Right, Ok. Because Parkview Baptist is at…
C: Before Parkview, but it’s on the left side. Or the right side, I don’t know which way you’re looking.
911: Right, but you’re by Belle Terre and Belle Air? Right?
C: Yup, it’s before Belleaire.
911: OK, I want you to wait there. I’m sending you help. OK?
C: They’re not moving either.
911: Let them know that help’s on the way
End of call.
911: 911, where is your emergency?
Caller: A tornado just hit our house and I think it hit the neighbor’s house.
911: Are there any injuries?
C: No, I don’t think anybody’s living next door. I think they’re just seasonal. We just got home, we walked in and it hit just as we came in the house. I think my roof ripped off. No, there’s no injuries. I can’t tell. I don’t have enough light to see what’s going on. I see part of my roof is gone and it looks like the neighbor’s whole back of the house is caved in
911: Are you sure nobody’s at the house?
C: No, I’m not positive. I don’t believe anybody’s there. I mean he’s seasonal. He hasn’t been here. Hello?
911: Yes, sir.
C: Hello, I’m just, I don’t know. Do I report it?
911: We’re going to get the fire department out there. Just try to avoid – Keep yourself safe. If the house is not safe, you need to be out of the house. OK?
C: Please.
911: OK, sir. OK Bye.
911: 911, what is the emergency?
Caller: Yes, Ma’am. I’m on Birchwood Place and we believe a tornado came through here. The power’s out. The tree is on the power lines.
911: Tree on the power lines? Can you give me a block number or something?
C: It’s Birchwood Place. It’s a cul-de-sac.
911: OK
C: Street
911: Was your house damaged?
C: Well, my stepson’s house was damaged.
911: What’s his address?
C: Bob, what’s your address? (Redacted) Birchwood Place.
911: OK, is anybody hurt?
C: No not that we know of. It’s kind of hard to see. I don’t think anybody was hurt, but there’s a lot of debris in the streets.
911: OK, What’s your name sir?
C: (Redacted)
911: All right, we’re going to get someone to you as soon as we can. They’re doing their best to make it all around. OK?
C: Ok, thank you.
911: All right, you’re welcome.
C: Bye bye.
911: Emergency.
Caller: Yes, I’m calling to report that we have, I know all over Palm Coast, but we have some down trees.
911: Yes, Ma’am. Where?
C: On Fulton Place in Palm Coast.
911: OK, where on Fulton Place? Can you give me a block number?
C: (Redacted)
911: OK, its trees that are down?
C: Yes
911: OK, is anybody hurt?
C: No, so far. And we’re also concerned about our neighbor’s house. It looks like a tree is down on their house.
911: What’s their address?
C: (Redacted)
911: OK. All right ma’am. We’ll get somebody out there.
Full press release from the city of Palm Coast:
The National Weather Service has confirmed it was a tornado that hit the Indian Trails neighborhood of Palm Coast on Saturday night, Dec. 14, and has given the tornado a preliminary rating of a strong EF1 with evidence of winds as high as 110 mph. The tornado was 25-75 yards wide; length has yet to be determined.
City damage assessment teams have completed their assessments. In all, 171 houses were affected:
• 7 houses destroyed
• 22 houses with moderate damage
• 142 houses partially damaged
The value of the damage is estimated at $5,355,611.
A tornado warning was issued at 6:56 p.m., and Flagler County Emergency Management issued a Code Red warning at 6:58 p.m. The first call reporting the tornado came in to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at approximately 7 p.m.
The heaviest damage is to houses and property in the B Section in the Indian Trails neighborhood, but damage also occurred in the C Section and F Section. No injuries were reported.
Additionally, power lines were down, power poles and trees were broken or blown down, and many roads were impassable. Power has been restored to most households, and there are no reported problems with water or sewer service. There is still a large amount of debris and there
may be downed lines, and all members of the public are urged to use caution in affected areas.
Roads have been reopened. The public is asked to stay away from damaged areas unless they live there. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is providing a heavy law enforcement presence to discourage people from being in the affected areas unnecessarily.
The Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were assisted in the response by Flagler County Fire and Flagler County Emergency Management. City crews from Fire, Public Works, Building and Utility worked into the night to check for injuries, clear debris and assess damage, and then returned back to work early Sunday, Dec. 15. Florida Power & Light also responded immediately and worked through the night to restore power; at one point, there were nearly 3,000 households without power.
The American Red Cross is serving the City in areas where needed, providing food and shelter assistance.
Anyone who experiences an injury in the aftermath of the storm and needs emergency assistance should call 911. To report other storm-related issues, the public should call the Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch number at 386-313-4911. For a building- or code-related issue, call 386-986-3780 during regular City operating hours. For other issues, call Customer Service at 386-986-2360 during regular business hours. After hours, call 888-635-9806.
Contractors are already in Palm Coast neighborhoods seeking to assist with repairs and cleanup. The City advises property owners to carefully consider the hiring of a contractor. Before you hire a contractor, ask to see a copy of his/her license and insurance. Then call the Building Department at 386-986-3780 and verify the license. The Building Department is happy to search our database and the state to check for active licenses. An unlicensed person may ask you to pull the permit or they try to convince you a permit is not required. A licensed contractor should always obtain the permit and never ask you to get it for them. Any and all business cards, contracts and vehicles that advertise their business should always have a license number – it’s the law.