Tornado in Palm Beach County: A Path of Destruction

A powerful tornado, packing winds up to 140 mph, tore through Palm Beach County on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction from Wellington to Jupiter Farms. The tornado, classified as an EF3, injured seven people and caused significant damage over its 21-mile path. It first touched down in Wellington at 4:51 p.m. and was on the ground until 5:21 p.m. The tornado was at its widest, 300 yards, when it started. "The tornado literally ripped apart a double-wide mobile home on Deer Path Lane in Wellington," reported the National Weather Service (NWS). The path continued north-northeast, affecting communities like Lakefield West, Meadowwood, Binks Forest, Loxahatchee Groves, and The Acreage.

As it approached Northlake Boulevard, the tornado intensified and caused extensive damage in the Avenir community of Palm Beach Gardens. A newly built Publix supermarket had its roof collapse due to winds estimated at 136 mph. Homes in the area suffered heavy roof damage, and some vehicles were moved over 100 yards. The tornado then passed near the North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport, where a wind gust of 92 mph was recorded at around 5:10 p.m. It continued its path, damaging trees and power poles in Jupiter Farms before moving into Martin County. The NWS survey found that the tornado's path was fairly consistent, around 200-300 yards wide. They also noted that radar had detected the tornado's circulation well before it reached Wellington, in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. "The reported track length is only for the surveyed portion," the NWS clarified. "If extended southward to the refuge, the length would exceed 30 miles."

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