Tornado outbreak of February 23, 1965
On Tuesday, February 23, 1965, a small, localized tornado outbreak affected southern portions of the U.S. state of Florida. At least four confirmed tornadoes touched down between 10 a.m.–1 p.m. EST ; the strongest tornado moved through the Fort Lauderdale area and produced F3 damage on the Fujita scale, injuring six people. In addition, an F1 tornado also moved through northern Broward and southern Palm Beach counties. Two tornadoes also affected Lee County, producing F2 and F1 damage, respectively.
Confirmed tornadoes
Fort Lauderdale–Oakland Park, Florida
The second tornado touched down near Chula Vista and moved north-northeast across western portions of the city of Fort Lauderdale, affecting a area, or 40 blocks, of the city. The small funnel was visible from a jetliner awaiting takeoff at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Later, it briefly lifted prior to touching down in Oakland Park, and it dissipated northeast of Wilton Manors. Though three funnel clouds occurred along the path, only one tornado developed. One home was destroyed, while seven trailers, three cars, and a pair of trucks received severe damage. Most of the damage affected a marina and a trailer park, though damage to power poles left about 2,400 residents powerless. 75 small watercraft were damaged at the marina, along with the clubhouse. The width of the damage path averaged, but occasionally reached. The tornado caused six injuries, three of them due to airborne debris, and at least $140,000–$300,000 in damages. The tornado is officially estimated to have been an F3 event. It remains the second of only three F/EF3 tornadoes to affect Broward County since 1950; the others occurred on April 10, 1956, and March 1, 1980. However, tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.
In addition to tornadoes, multiple funnel clouds occurred over at least two counties in southern Florida, and at least one waterspout touched down near West Palm Beach.