Weather
At least 15 killed after tornado hits Spanish Lakes Country Club Village in Fort Pierce
Over 100 personnel are involved in the search and rescue operations.
A series of powerful tornadoes tore through a Fort Pierce community on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed that deaths had occurred at Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, located on Spanish Lakes Boulevard, but did not provide an exact number of casualties.
In an interview, Sheriff Pearson explained that his deputies and state emergency crews would be conducting door-to-door searches in the community, which is situated off Turnpike Feeder Road, west of Route 1.
Over 100 personnel are involved in the search and rescue operations.
“This is like nothing we’ve ever seen,” Pearson said, describing a scene where between six and twelve confirmed high-strength tornadoes ravaged the area within a 20-minute period. “We are doing everything possible to search the area, check the residences, and rescue anyone trapped inside,” he pledged.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and the National Guard are all providing support to the affected area.
Sheriff Pearson also confirmed that the SLCSO hangar was completely destroyed by a tornado, resulting in a loss estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
The 10,000 square foot steel structure housed the department’s vehicles.
Emergency crews are responding to widespread storm damage in Princeton, Indiana after a tornado touched down in the area Thursday evening, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple neighborhoods.
According to the National Weather Service, a trained weather spotter confirmed a tornado in the area, reporting that the storm tore roofs off buildings and caused major structural damage.
The most heavily impacted area includes the vicinity of Seminary and Oak Streets, where multiple mobile homes sustained significant damage.
Officials on scene confirmed that power lines are down, contributing to hazardous conditions.
Residents are strongly urged to avoid the affected area, both for safety and to allow emergency personnel to conduct response and recovery operations.
Emergency management officials stated that, at this time, no injuries have been reported, and all residents in the damaged area have been accounted for.
The damage spans an estimated eight-block area, with visible destruction to homes, debris scattered across roads, and utility disruptions throughout the community.
Local authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage, and cleanup efforts are underway.
Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.