PENSACOLA/FERRY PASS FLORIDA TORNADO SURVEY BY THE MOBILE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. Data provided by NWSMOB
RATING: EF-3
ESTIMATED PEAK WIND: 155 MPH
PATH LENGTH /STATUTE/: 8 MILES
PATH WIDTH /MAXIMUM/: 300 YARDS
FATALITIES: 0
INJURIES: ESTIMATED 3
START DATE: FEB 23 2016
START TIME: 810 PM CST
START LOCATION: 1.5 MILES NORTHWEST OF PENSACOLA AIRPORT
ESCAMBIA / FL
END DATE: FEB 23 2016
END TIME: 821 PM CST
END LOCATION: 1.7 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF MULAT
SANTA ROSA / FL
The tornado first touched down southwest of Creighton Road (Pensacola) and quickly strengthened as it moved northeast. The first area of EF-2 damage was noted on Lansing drive where significant roof damage was observed to a couple of homes along with snapped power poles and extensive tree damage. The tornado crossed over interstate 10 just west of 9th avenue and crossed 9th avenue north of the interstate. EF-1 damage was noted…primarily to hardwood trees in the area of interstate 10 and 9th avenue. Intensification was noted as it moved further east of 9th avenue and east of North Pointe Boulevard. The roof was blown off of two homes…one on La Borde Lane and one on Gladstone Drive. Additional EF-2 damage to homes was observed further to the northeast on Tradewinds Drive. Two vehicles were overturned in this location. It was at this point that further intensification began.
The tornado then reached peak intensity shortly thereafter as it moved over the mooring apartments on Old Spanish Trail and the General Electric (GE) plant. EF-3 damage was observed at two of the apartment buildings with major damage to the 2nd story of the buildings (walls). EF-3 damage occurred at the GE plant where a warehouse was destroyed. Additional EF-3 damage was observed at the Grand Baroque townhouses on Scenic Highway where two units were destroyed. The tornado was near peak intensity as it moved across Escambia Bay. An 18 wheeler was overturned on the Escambia Bay bridge just west of the Santa Rosa County line. Some of the debris from the GE plant was found near the western Santa Rosa county shoreline.
The tornado weakened as it moved into Santa Rosa County. EF-1 damage was first noted on San Juan Street at Sealark Lane. The tornado continued northeast…producing additional EF-1 damage. The tornado finally lifted near Shetland Circle just west of Avalon Boulevard.
THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE CLASSIFIES TORNADOES INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES.
EF0…WEAK……65 TO 85 MPH
EF1…WEAK……86 TO 110 MPH
EF2…STRONG….111 TO 135 MPH
EF3…STRONG….136 TO 165 MPH
EF4…VIOLENT…166 TO 200 MPH
EF5…VIOLENT…>200 MPH
NOTE:
THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT AND PUBLICATION IN NWS STORM DATA.
