Tornado outbreak of February 23, 1965 explained

Tornado outbreak of February 23, 1965
Duration:February 23, 1965
Tornadoes:4
Fujitascale:F3
Year:1965
Damages:$302,500 (1965 USD)
$ (USD)
Fatalities:0
Injuries:8
Affected:South Florida
Season:tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1965

On Tuesday, February 23, 1965, a small, localized tornado outbreak affected southern portions of the U.S. state of Florida. At least four confirmed tornadoes touched down between 10 a.m.–1 p.m. EST (15:00–18:00 UTC); the strongest tornado moved through the Fort Lauderdale area and produced F3 damage on the Fujita scale, injuring six people. In addition, an F1 tornado also moved through northern Broward and southern Palm Beach counties. Two tornadoes also affected Lee County, producing F2 and F1 damage, respectively.

Confirmed tornadoes

F#! scope="col" text-align:center;" class="unsortable"
LocationCounty / ParishStateStart
Time (UTC)Path length widthDamage
F1Western Pompano Beach to Delray BeachBroward, Palm BeachFL15:50–?14.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on33abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado produced intermittent, minor damage, mainly to trees and fences. A small, rural barn was destroyed as well. Losses totaled $2,500.[2] [3] [4]
F3 Southwestern Fort Lauderdale to southeastern Oakland ParkBrowardFL16:15–?5.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on60abbr=onNaNabbr=on
See section on this tornado
F1IonaLeeFL17:45–?0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on33abbr=onNaNabbr=on
This tornado substantially damaged saran housing and vegetation at a plant nursery. A mother and infant were injured in a trailer. Losses totaled $25,000.[5] [6]
F2Fort MyersLeeFL17:45–?0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on67abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Various structures and small homes were either partly unroofed or extensively damaged. A metal structure at a factory was damaged, skylights and windows were smashed, a built-up roof was mostly pulled off its sheathing, a shed and awnings were blown away, a carport was shifted, and a pair of trucks were tipped sideways. Additionally, a 40adj=midNaNadj=mid, 12adj=midNaNadj=mid CMU wall was downed, while a similar but smaller wall elsewhere was bent 2feet outward. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list this tornado as an F2 or stronger.[7]

Fort Lauderdale–Oakland Park, Florida

Fort Lauderdale–Oakland Park, Florida
Formed:February 23, 1965, 11:15 a.m. EST
Basin:atl
Fujita-Scale:F3
Casualties:6 injuries
Damages:$250,000 (1965 USD)
$ (USD)

The second tornado touched down near Chula Vista and moved north-northeast across western portions of the city of Fort Lauderdale, affecting a 1mi2 area, or 40 blocks, of the city. The small funnel was visible from a jetliner awaiting takeoff at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Later, it briefly lifted prior to touching down in Oakland Park, and it dissipated northeast of Wilton Manors. Though three funnel clouds occurred along the path, only one tornado developed. One home was destroyed, while seven trailers, three cars, and a pair of trucks received severe damage. Most of the damage affected a marina and a trailer park, though damage to power poles left about 2,400 residents powerless. 75 small watercraft were damaged at the marina, along with the clubhouse. The width of the damage path averaged 60yd, but occasionally reached 100yd. The tornado caused six injuries, three of them due to airborne debris, and at least $140,000–$300,000 in damages (NCEI lists damages as $250,000). The tornado is officially estimated to have been an F3 event. It remains the second of only three F/EF3 tornadoes to affect Broward County since 1950; the others occurred on April 10, 1956, and March 1, 1980. However, tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.[8]

Non-tornadic effects

In addition to tornadoes, multiple funnel clouds occurred over at least two counties in southern Florida, and at least one waterspout touched down near West Palm Beach.

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Multiple sources:
  2. News: Gusts As High As 43 M.P.H.; FCD on Alert. 14 September 2022. Palm Beach Post. 57. 10. February 24, 1965. West Palm Beach, Florida. 2. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Janas. Gene. Twister's Cost Is Estimated at $300,000. 13 September 2022. Fort Lauderdale News. 55. 120. February 24, 1965. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 12A. Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Rain, Winds Lash City . 14 September 2022 . . 10 . 28 . . February 25, 1965 . . 1–2A .
  5. News: Dean. Jewell. Damage Heavy To Sanitation Plant, Homes. 13 September 2022. Fort Myers News-Press. 81. February 24, 1965. Fort Myers, Florida. 1A. Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Dean. Jewell. Tornadoes Lash Three Areas of County. 13 September 2022. Fort Myers News-Press. 81. February 24, 1965. Fort Myers, Florida. 8A. Newspapers.com.
  7. News: Lauderdale Hard Hit; None Killed. 14 September 2022. Palm Beach Post. Associated Press. 57. 10. February 24, 1965. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. West Palm Beach, Florida. 1. Newspapers.com.
  8. Multiple sources:

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