National Weather Service Confirms Tornado in Palm Coast B-Section

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado, specifically an EF2, touched down in the Indian Trails B-Section of Palm Coast early Thursday morning before 5 a.m. EF stands for the Enhanced Fujita Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 being the lowest and 5 being the highest

With winds as strong as 115 mph, the short-lived tornado touched down near the intersection of Belle Terre and Pine Lakes Parkways and traveled one (1) mile northeast through the B-Section of Palm Coast before dissipating near Interstate 95. The maximum width of the tornado’s track was 200 yards.

The National Weather Service initially issued a tornado watch, meaning that conditions are favorable for one to occur, for Flagler County shortly before 1 a.m. on October 12. That watch was upgraded to a “possible tornado with warning” at 4:20 a.m. and 4:40 a.m.

A local Skywarn Storm Spotter reported a loud roar moving through Indian Trails near Pine Lakes and Belle Terre Parkways at 4:45 a.m. Moments later, reports of damages were reported at Bayside and Bay Drives and later at Barrington and Barrister Drives.

Crews are currently in the process of assessing the extent of damage to properties. Initial estimates suggest that dozens of homes have suffered varying degrees of structural damage, including issues such as damage to soffits and shingles all the way to complete roof removal and extreme structural damage. Regrettably, at least three homes have been deemed uninhabitable at this time.

Residents in need of assistance following the storm should contact Flagler County Emergency Management at 386-313-4200. 

When seeking repairs for damaged homes, please choose a reputable professional who is licensed and insured. To find a licensed contractor, the City of Palm Coast website has an easily accessible Contractor search: https://www.palmcoast.gov/building A video on this topic can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/tpqIq7lBTIk?feature=shared

If you wish to provide support to those affected by the storm, we strongly recommend donating to reputable non-profit and charity organizations. To actively participate in the recovery efforts for these homes, please feel free to reach out to Flagler Volunteer Services at (386) 416-7921. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

For real-time updates and information, please follow the City of Palm Coast, Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler Sheriff, and Flagler County Emergency Management on social media and stay tuned to local news outlets for the latest developments. Residents are encouraged to report any emergencies to 9-1-1 and use Palm Coast Connect for any City service issues.