Hurricane Isbell tornado outbreak


Hurricane Isbell spawned one of the most significant tornado outbreaks to strike the Miami metropolitan area on October 14, 1964. It produced at least nine confirmed, and possibly as many as 17, tornadoes, four of which were rated significant on the Fujita scale. Although there were no fatalities, 48 people were injured and losses totaled $560,250. The most damaging of the tornadoes was an estimated F2 that injured 22 people at a mobile home park in Briny Breezes, causing $250,000 in losses.

Background

At 21:00 UTC on October 14, 1964, Hurricane Isbell made landfall near Everglades City as a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of, having weakened somewhat from its estimated peak intensity of. It quickly crossed over South Florida, spending five hours over land prior to entering the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the damage associated with the storm in South Florida was attributable to a series of tornadoes that affected the region. The tornadoes—estimates of which range from 13 to 17—were responsible for all injuries that occurred during the passage of the storm.

Confirmed tornadoes

F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart
Time Path length widthSummary
F1Coral GablesMiami-DadeFL20:10–?≥Damages were estimated at $2,500.
F1ESE of CarnestownCollierFL20:15–?≥A utility shed disintegrated and portions of the roof and siding were carried. A chickee was flattened as well, and a cabin cruiser was moved into the nearby Everglades. The tornado may have occurred near Wagon Wheel, between Carnestown and Ochopee. Damages were estimated at $250. NCEI lists the point of touchdown as having been east-northeast of Dismal Key.
F1Northeastern Boca RatonPalm BeachFL21:00–?≥In the 3000 and 3100 blocks of NE 5th Avenue on the east side of Boca Raton, a brief tornado tore a screen enclosure from a home. Screens, windows, awnings, and shrubbery were damaged. Three people were injured and damages were estimated at $2,500. NCEI indicates that the tornado affected Pearl City.
F1Eastern Boynton BeachPalm BeachFL22:00–?≥Three people were injured and damages were estimated at $2,500.
F2ESE of Hobe SoundMartinFL22:00–?≥A citrus stand and a service station were damaged west-northwest of Harbor Island. Damages were estimated at $2,500. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis did not classify the tornado as an F2 or stronger.
F2Delray Beach to Briny BreezesPalm BeachFL22:24–?≥A tornado destroyed 12 mobile homes in the Briny Breezes Mobile Home Park and unroofed four homes southeast of Boynton Beach, injuring 22 people and causing $250,000 in damage.
F1Lake Worth Corridor to SW of Golden LakesPalm BeachFL23:00–?≥A tornado first touched down in the 3900 block of Military Trail, near the intersection of that road and Lake Worth Road. A tavern was ruined, with windows broken and the liquor stock scattered. Nearby garage doors were blown out, semi-trucks were tipped onto their sides, and trees and power poles were downed. A fire station was also damaged. The tornado continued into Forest Hills Village and Monmouth Estates, doing mostly minor damage to homes. One home had its windows broken and its furniture strewn about, and another home had its ceiling damaged. A lawn mower was thrown into a field and an automobile was thrown into a nearby yard. The tornado continued intermittently to the fairgrounds on Southern Boulevard, where signs were blown down. Three people were injured and damages were estimated at $25,000.
F2Eau GallieBrevardFL01:20–?≥A brief tornado destroyed 12 trailers, unroofed a church, and shifted a home in the Eau Gallie neighborhood of Northern Melbourne, injuring 17 people, and causing $250,000 in damage.
F2Davie to Dania BeachBrowardFL03:50–?≥A tornado hit the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, damaging six airplanes. A nearby clubhouse was unroofed as well and damages were estimated at $25,000.