Damaged cars appear in a parking lot after a reported tornado hit the area Sunday, April 30, 2023 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Joe Cavaretta
AP
A tornado with wind speeds of around 130 mph overturned cars, ripped roofs, snapped trees and took down power poles Saturday afternoon in parts of Palm Beach County.
The destructive vortex with violently rotating winds caused havoc in the city of Palm Beach Gardens, prompting authorities to shut down key roadways as workers removed debris and examined the wreckage. But despite the extensive damage, no deaths or injuries had been reported as of Sunday.
The EF-2 tornado — a category reserved for tornadoes with 111-135 mph winds — started at 5:10 p.m. east of Interstate 95, just south of the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, the National Weather Service in Miami said Sunday afternoon. It then tracked northeast for more than two and a half miles, passing where PGA Boulevard and U.S. 1. meet, and dissipated at 5:21 p.m. before reaching Juno Beach. On Saturday, the weather service had preliminarily ranked the tornado as a weaker EF-1.
NWS Miami can confirm an EF-2 tornado occurred yesterday April 29, 2023 in Palm Beach Gardens. Multiple reports of damage to trees, homes, buildings, power poles and cars. For more information visit the latest Public information Statement: https://t.co/Y5tBQ8SZWzpic.twitter.com/i94is2rnFL
Most of the Florida Peninsula — including Miami and Fort Lauderdale — was under a tornado watch Sunday until around 12:30 p.m. Two weaker tornadoes were reported over the weekend in Boynton Beach and Charlotte County.
Take a look at the photos and videos captured the tornado and the destruction it caused:
A building at the Sanctuary Cove Apartment complex suffered heavy damage to the roof and windows in the aftermath of a Saturday evening tornado, seen on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Palm Beach Gardens Saturday evening. ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
Blown-out windows and destroyed roof on a condemned building at the Sanctuary Cove Apartment complex on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Palm Beach Gardens Saturday evening. ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
Samuel Tavarez, a resident at the Sanctuary Cove Apartment complex, attempts to cover the shattered windows of his car with tape and plastic tarp while being assisted by his father, Samuel Tavarez Sr., in the aftermath of a Saturday evening tornado on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Palm Beach Gardens Saturday evening. ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
Downed trees appear near a property with a damaged roof after a reported tornado hit the area Sunday, April 30, 2023 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Joe Cavaretta AP
Damaged pottery is seen after a reported tornado hit the area Sunday, April 30, 2023 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Joe Cavaretta AP
Damaged trees appear on a property after a reported tornado hit the area Sunday, April 30, 2023 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Joe Cavaretta AP
Passers-by photograph tornado damage at the Sanctuary Cove Apartment complex on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Palm Beach Gardens Saturday evening. ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
Samuel Tavarez, a resident at the Sanctuary Cove Apartment complex, attempts to cover the shattered windows of his car with tape and plastic tarp in the aftermath of a Saturday evening tornado on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Palm Beach Gardens Saturday evening. ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
North Palm Beach Police officers speak with passers-by at the Sanctuary Cove Apartment complex while standing in front of a condemned building on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Palm Beach Gardens Saturday evening. ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST ANDRES LEIVA/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
Residents say a tornado hit next to the intersection of US 1 and PGA Blvd. @WPBF25News Look at all this damage. No word on any injuries. pic.twitter.com/zQmem6HZj1
This video, captured by Brynn Blizzard, really shows how wide the tornado was in North Palm Beach, Florida earlier today. #FLwxpic.twitter.com/NSmbNY5IRL
No injuries reported in PBG, but City Engineer & Building official report there is roof, structural and vehicle damage throughout the City. https://t.co/qCRVmHYscJ
— City of Palm Beach Gardens (@CityofPBG) April 30, 2023
Residents of the Point at North Palm Beach say they were terrified when a tornado hit their building in Palm Beach Gardens today. @WPBF25Newspic.twitter.com/FIhFzuJbsu
Although we value safety overall, some viewers and CBS12 crew members were able to snap a few photos and take videos of what was happening outside. Read more: https://t.co/yj5cVMleKHpic.twitter.com/DgqbZbCMlz
A large tree crashed onto this Jeep Wrangler in the Sanctuary Cove apartments after a tornado tore through northern Palm Beach County on Saturday. https://t.co/xDzxfbIgUQpic.twitter.com/IeHqVBCuWp
A tornado just ripped through parts of Palm Beach Gardens causing widespread damage. These pictures are from our @WPBF_Sooji. (She is ok and was not harmed!!)
Omar is a bilingual and bicultural journalist, covering breaking news in South Florida for the Miami Herald. He has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in education from the Universidad de Puerto Rico en Río Piedras.
