Osceola County F0 Tornado of May 22, 2001

Description

Strong thunderstorm winds accompanied by an embedded weak tornado (F0) were responsible for some property damage in parts of north Osceola County.  The event occurred during the early evening on Tuesday (05/22/01) around 630 PM.  The damage consisted of several twisted awnings and screen enclosures, as well as a few downed trees and powerlines.  Damage also occurred to some parked vehicles.  The majority of damage was near the Buena Ventura Lake subdivision.  There were a few reports of funnel clouds and an eyewitness account of a brief tornado spin-up by British tourists.  The Damage Survey Team concluded that strong downburst winds around 45 to 50 mph produced much of the minor damage, with the F0 tornado (winds around 70 mph) being responsible for the more noteworthy damage.

The approximate damage paths were derived from a National Weather Service ground survey.  Interestingly, this location was very close to that of the historical and devastating F3 tornado which occurred in February 1998.  Damage pictures are accessible on certain links below.
 

Products

•     Short-Term Forecast at 547 PM

•     Severe Weather Statement at 650 PM

•     Local Storm Report (Preliminary)

Images

•     WSR-88D/KMLB Radar Image at 621 PM

•     TDWR Radar Loop between 600 and 630 PM

Damage Photos - along Mante Drive - marked on map above.

Back porch peeled back.

Pool screen cover removed.

Large tree uprooted.