Synopsis:

On Sunday, December 24th, an area of low pressure developed in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of a strong upper level trough which moved across the southern tier of the United States, embedded within the powerful subtropical branch of the jet stream. As this low pressure system moved northeastward into the southeastern United States Christmas Eve into Christmas morning, a squall line developed over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and then moved rapidly eastward into Florida . The squall line spawned severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across northern and western portions of the state during the late night and early morning hours, and this activity moved rapidly toward the east and northeast at around 50 MPH across east central Florida by Christmas afternoon.  

The squall line spawned a tornado rated at F-0 on the Fujita scale in the Leesburg area in Lake County with estimated wind speeds of about 70 MPH. The tornado was about 50 yards wide and about one quarter mile long and it struck the Brittany Estates just north of Highway 441. A tornado warning was issued at 11:58 AM , 22 minutes in advance of tornado touchdown at 12:20 PM . A number of manufactured homes suffered damage to roofs awnings and carports, but fortunately, no injuries were reported from this tornado.   As the individual storm that spawned this tornado moved northeastward and weakened, a second cell developed just to its south and moved toward DeLand in western Volusia County . A second tornado warning was issued at 12:39 PM , a full 51 minutes in advance of the tornado touchdown near DeLand around 1:30 PM . The DeLand tornado was determined to have done F-2 damage with estimated wind speeds between 120 and 150 MPH. There was considerable damage done to two mobile home parks, and 10 persons were injured, 2 seriously.  

This same storm moved rapidly east-northeastward at 50 MPH, causing damage in the Tiger Bay area of central Volusia County . A second tornado warning was issued for Eastern Volusia County at 1:25 PM , highlighting the potential for a tornado touching down in or around the Daytona Beach area. Beginning around 1:45 , significant damage occurred near the Daytona Beach International Airport at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University , and at the Sutton Place Apartments. This tornado was rated at F-2 with estimated wind speeds of around 120 MPH. There were six people injured by this tornado.  

Miraculously, there was no loss of life from any of the three tornadoes.

At the time of this preliminary survey, damage was estimated at $30M in Daytona Beach, and at $2.5M in DeLand. See updated damage estimates below.

Deland Area Tornado Track
Map shows approximate track as surveyed by NWS team.
Click for a larger version.

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