Tornadoes Ravage South Florida During Hurricane Milton’s Wrath

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Tornadoes Ravage South Florida During Hurricane Milton’s Wrath \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Tony Brazzale, a Florida diving boat captain, was not concerned about Hurricane Milton’s landfall, as it was predicted to hit far north of his home. However, as the storm hit, tornadoes spun off in South Florida, damaging homes, including Brazzale’s. While he and his family were safe, the tornado shattered windows and uprooted trees. The National Weather Service reported at least 38 tornadoes across the state during Milton, leaving communities far from the hurricane’s center scrambling to clean up.

Tornadoes Strike South Florida as Hurricane Milton Hits: Quick Looks

Unexpected Twisters: While Hurricane Milton was forecasted to hit northern Florida, South Florida was hit with dozens of tornadoes.
Local Destruction: Tony Brazzale’s Wellington home suffered significant damage, including shattered windows and uprooted trees.
Widespread Tornadoes: The National Weather Service issued 126 tornado warnings, with at least 38 tornadoes confirmed.
Historic Numbers: Milton’s tornado outbreak could make it one of the top-10 hurricanes for generating tornadoes in U.S. history.

Deep Look

As Hurricane Milton barreled into Florida, Tony Brazzale, a diving boat captain from Wellington, had little concern about the storm’s impact on his home. Located in southeastern Florida, Brazzale’s neighborhood was hundreds of miles away from where Milton’s eye was expected to make landfall. Like many in the region, he believed the storm would pass with little effect. But what unfolded on Wednesday proved far more dangerous than anyone expected.

A Tornado Touches Down

Despite the initial forecast suggesting that Hurricane Milton would spare his area, Brazzale found himself face to face with a powerful tornado that tore through his neighborhood. While standing outside to observe the storm, he noticed a tornado forming in the sky. The pressure around him began to drop dramatically, and his wife’s ears started popping—a sure sign of a looming twister. Realizing the danger, Brazzale rushed his family inside just before the tornado struck.

Within moments, the tornado had shattered the windows of Brazzale’s home, torn shingles off the roof, and uprooted trees in his yard. “The hurricane was a nonevent for us,” Brazzale said, reflecting on how the storm’s strong winds were overshadowed by the destructive force of the tornado. Two days later, he was still cleaning up, wearing safety goggles and using a chainsaw to clear debris. “Had it not been for an F-3 tornado, the entire thing would have been a nonevent for us.”

Dozens of Tornadoes Hit South Florida

Brazzale’s experience was far from unique in South Florida, as Hurricane Milton spawned dozens of tornadoes, causing widespread destruction across the region. In total, meteorologists estimate there were at least 38 tornadoes associated with Milton, though that number could rise as the National Weather Service continues to assess the damage and review reports. Preliminary estimates indicate that the tornado outbreak may place Milton among the top-10 hurricanes in U.S. history for the most tornadoes spawned.

One of the tornadoes proved fatal in Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, located north of Wellington. The storm killed at least six people in the retirement community near Fort Pierce, showcasing the deadly power of these twisters, even in areas far removed from the hurricane’s direct path.

In fact, South Florida—hundreds of miles from where Milton made landfall near Sarasota—bore the brunt of the tornadoes that accompanied the storm. The National Weather Service issued an astounding 126 tornado warnings throughout the state on the day of the hurricane, underscoring the unpredictable and dangerous nature of these events.

Tornadoes and Hurricanes: A Deadly Combination

The 38 tornadoes produced by Hurricane Milton may make the storm one of the most significant tornado-producing hurricanes in U.S. history. The highest number of tornadoes caused by a single hurricane was 118 during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, followed by 67 tornadoes from Hurricane Beulah in 1967. Recent storms, such as Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, have also unleashed high tornado counts, with at least 65 confirmed tornadoes so far.

In comparison, Florida typically sees about 50 tornadoes in an average year, according to Matthew Elliott, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. The sheer number of tornadoes tied to Milton could easily surpass the annual state average, demonstrating the intense and unusual nature of the storm.

The Cleanup Effort Begins

In Brazzale’s neighborhood, Pine Trace at Binks Forest, residents spent days clearing away the wreckage left behind by the tornadoes. Brazzale worked tirelessly to repair his home, replacing shattered windows and fixing roof tiles. Across the community, others did the same, removing debris, patching up roofs, and sawing through downed trees. Despite the extensive property damage, Brazzale remained grateful that no lives were lost in his area.

“It’s a significant pressure drop when one of those things goes over,” Brazzale said, recounting the terrifying moments when the tornado passed over his house. “You heard it. It was a freight train.” For Brazzale and his neighbors, the tornado’s signature roar was an unforgettable reminder of how quickly the calm before a storm can turn into chaos.

In the aftermath of the storm, local sheriff’s deputies were deployed to help residents clean up and remove large trees obstructing roads. Their assistance provided much-needed relief to those struggling to clear the extensive damage left by the tornadoes. However, the task of recovery will take time, as communities across South Florida face the dual challenges of hurricane and tornado damage.

Looking Ahead: Tornado Numbers Could Rise

As Florida continues to recover from Hurricane Milton’s destructive impact, meteorologists are still reviewing the extent of the tornado outbreak. The National Weather Service’s preliminary estimates suggest at least 38 tornadoes, but that figure could grow in the coming weeks as reports are finalized. If confirmed, Milton would surpass several notable hurricanes in terms of tornado activity, solidifying its place in history as one of the most impactful storms in recent memory.

For residents like Brazzale, the focus now turns to rebuilding and moving forward. Despite the destruction, the most important outcome for many is that they survived the storm. “The most important thing is that nobody died here,” Brazzale said, summing up the relief felt throughout his neighborhood.

As Florida enters the lengthy recovery phase, communities affected by both Hurricane Milton and the tornadoes it spawned will work to restore normalcy. While the storm’s tornadoes may have caused significant damage, the resilience of those like Brazzale highlights the spirit of recovery that defines Florida’s response to nature’s most powerful forces.