Tornado Touched Down In Sarasota Last Week, NWS Tampa Bay Confirms

SARASOTA, FL — An EF-0 tornado was one of six that touched down in the Tampa Bay area as powerful storms brought thunder, lightning, heavy rains and strong winds to the area, the National Weather Service said.

A tornado's damage intensity is often rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, according to the agency's website. Their rating is based on estimated wind speeds and related damage, with the lowest being an EF-0 with three-second gusts of 65 to 85 mph and the strongest being an EF-5 with gusts more than 200 mph.

The storms, which came in from the Gulf, moved east across the state, affecting many counties in west and central Florida. Dozens of counties were under tornado warnings and watches Oct. 11-12.

At least two EF-2 tornadoes were previously confirmed, one touching down in Clearwater and moving into Dunedin the morning of Oct. 12, another in Crystal River, according to Fox Weather.

• Also Read: Photos Show Tornado Damage To Structures In Clearwater, Crystal River

A 50-yard-wide EF-0 tornado touched down in Sarasota just before 11 p.m. on Oct. 11 traveling about .19 miles, NWS shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

It touched down near Palomino Trail, just north of State Road 72/Clark Road and on the east side of Sarasota. Its estimated peak winds were 85 mph.

EF-0 tornadoes also touched down north of Sarasota on Oct. 12 in Oldsmar around 12:15 a.m., Trinity around 2:15 a.m. and Belleair around 11:30 a.m.