FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — An EF-0 tornado with maximum winds at 80 mph moved near the downtown Fort Lauderdale area late Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service confirmed.
In a storm survey published Sunday, forecasters say the first visible signs of damage were along Southeast 12th Street, where large branches were brought down in front of a home.
This was at about 5:47 p.m., the weather service said — a tornado warning was issued for the area about a minute earlier.
From there, the tornado moved northeast through Rio Vista Isles, across the New River and then south of Sunset Lake. The tornado lifted around 5:50 p.m. in the area of East Las Olas Boulevard after traveling on the ground for about a mile and a half.
Several videos posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, captured the tornado moving east. In some videos, power flashes and debris were seen.
The weather service noted minor tree, roof and power line damage.
"The maximum winds estimated were 80 mph, however most of the damage was likely in the 60-70 mph range. Therefore, the tornado has been rated as an EF-0," the agency's statement read, in part.
No injuries or deaths were reported following the tornado.
The severe weather in South Florida on Saturday was associated with a strong winter storm system and its associated cold front that moved through the Tampa Bay region earlier in the day, which brought an extended period of heavy rain to the area.