Power Outage in Key West, FL

A southeast wind gust of 56 knots and sustained wind of 37 knots was measured at Key West International Airport. A few small tree limbs were downed, however no significant power outages resulted.

A duplex residence was severely damaged when struck by a positive-polarity lightning bolt. Lightning struck the ground near an exterior Jacuzzi in a side yard, near the front corner of the structure. The lightning strike left a hold in the ground roughly 2 feet by 2 feet by 18 inches deep. A ground rod and wire was installed for the Jacuzzi but not attached. The charge followed the exterior power conduit to an exterior junction box, where the box's cover was blown free. Wires were charred, the conduit destroyed. The residence's washer/dryer electric supply was charred. The electric meter box exploded according to the responding fire unit, with wires charred and burned and all connections melted. In the front of the residence, wood was charred under metal screws securing the exterior soffit. Aluminum frames for glass jalaousie windows in the front of the residence were melted with windows knocked out. Light bulbs in various locations throughout the residence were blown, including the bedroom lamps and ceiling fixture, bathroom wall fixture, and kitchen ceiling light fixture. The bathroom mirror was shattered. The residence was declared unfit for occupation due to damage to the electrical system, although no fire resulted. Keys Energy Services replaced a blown fuse for a transformer serving the residence, and three other residences had tripped circuits but no permanent damage was reported. The struck residence was occupied by one female at the time of the strike, who was observed by rescue personnel to not have any injuries.

Power line confirmed blown down in the 1600 block of Seminary Street in Key West.

Power lines reported down near the intersection of Simonton and Fleming Streets in Key West.

Power line down and resultant outage to 61 customers along the bayside of Grassy Key.

A retired air traffic controller observed a waterspout moving onshore from the Atlantic waters in the Winston Waterways section of Key Largo. A few tree branches were downed with some patio furniture tossed about. A minor power outage occurred nearby to 5 customers. The duration was only a few seconds with path length around 400 feet. Maximum winds were estimated between 50 to 60 mph.

A weak tornado produced EF0 damage across the extreme southeast part of Key West through south Stock Island. The tornado was first observed by a motorist just offshore South Roosevelt Boulevard before moving briefly onshore at a hotel. Over a half dozen palm trees with some decay were snapped at the base. Lawn furniture associated with the hotel's tiki hut north of the tornado path were blown southeast onto South Roosevelt Boulevard in the torando's wake. The tornado tracked northeast across Cow Key Channel before moving ashore south Stock Island along 12th Avenue. Two trees were downed onto 12th Avenue in a northeast direction. A deck umbrella was lofted northeast from the east end of 11th Avenue onto power lines on 5th Street, bringing down the lines and causing a power outage throughout the area. The tornado continued northeast and likely lifted or dissipated over 5th Avenue northeast of Bernstein Park. There, a small ornamental tree was found snapped at the base and laying toward the west partially onto 5th Street. Several trash cans placed around Bernstein park had fallen and rolled southward or southeastward. At the tornado path northeast terminus, a television cable line was downed. Maximum winds were estimated at 60 to 70 mph along the path from Key West through 11th Avenue in Stock Island.

A violent waterspout associated with a supercell made landfall as a tornado in Lower Matecumbe Key at Sunset Drive and moved northwest, crossing U.S. Highway One and then along Palm Drive through a residential section near Mile Marker 74 on the Overseas Highway. The tornado damage path ended on Buttonwood Lane before reaching Florida Bay. Most damage was to deck railings, screens, windows and soffits on numerous homes. A few homes displayed more significant damage, including penetration through exterior doors and walls, with one home losing 50 percent of its roof decking. The EF1 rating with estimated maximum wind speeds of 90 to 100 mph was based on roof damage to a residence along Palm Drive. Debris from sheet metal paneling and mangrove branches may have contributed to a major power outage throughout all of the Keys from Islamorada through Key West as it was carried across U.S. Highway One and a major electrical transmission line.

An emergency management official reported strong thunderstorm winds had knocked down several trees and power lines on Marina Drive in North Key Largo.

US Naval Air Station reported power outage and a door blown off its hinges on Sigsbee Key.

Wind Damage to Key West Naval Air Station facilities. Several trees were downed, and three utility poles snapped above the ground. A dumpster and a small power boat on a trailer were overturned. Minor damage to wood fascia on building.