OCALA, Fla. – An EF-1 tornado damaged several buildings and vehicles Saturday morning in Ocala as strong storms ripped across Florida, according to the Ocala Police Department and the National Weather Service.
The NWS officially determined Sunday that an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak wind speeds of 110 mph caused the damage.
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In its damage survey, NWS Jacksonville said the 200-yard-wide tornado traveled a path of approximately 25 miles from Dunnellon to Ocala over 28 minutes. As with police, the NWS reported no fatalities or injuries in the event.
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Ocala police said the damage happened near the 3900 block of State Road 200.
Details in the NWS damage report describe many uprooted trees in the north and east sides of Ocala, a toppled billboard and peeled building siding near Dunnellon, downed power lines and damage to numerous residences, including an apartment building.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Saturday to declare a state of emergency in Clay, Highlands, Marion and Putnam counties.
Authorities closed all lanes on S.R. 200 from SW 38 Court and SW 43 Street Road for hours before they were reopened Saturday afternoon.
“Please avoid the area. We will keep you updated here when more information is available,” police said in a social media post.