Even before the National Weather Service’s Miami office sent a meteorologist out to confirm it, the evidence of tornadic winds was there in the treetops, said Rob Robinson, associate executive director of the Indian Trail Improvement District.
“It looked like a bit of both” — straight-line winds and some tornadic activity, he said of the storm that roared through The Acreage on the evening of Monday, May 12. “You could see it in the twisting of the treetops.”
On Tuesday, an NWS meteorologist said an EF-0 twister moved through the area between 6 and 6:30 p.m. as part of a front sweeping across Florida. Dropping out of a thunderstorm “supercell,” the tornado began near Lion Country Safari just north of Southern Blvd., then spun northeast for about five minutes, passing through Westlake and into The Acreage, which is part of ITID.
Minor damage was reported in Westlake.
In The Acreage, numerous trees were toppled, and limbs were snapped off, some taking down power lines. At least one fence was shattered, and a trampoline was sent flying. Power was reported out along parts of Hall Blvd. for several hours. However, no injuries were reported.
The NWS estimated winds at 70 to 75 miles per hour.
Robinson responded with a three-man work crew to assist Florida Power & Light, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Using chain saws, the ITID crew quickly removed trees blocking roads, he said.
ITID workers were out for three hours Monday night and returned Tuesday to finish the cleanup.
“We have a great crew with great leadership,” ITID President Elizabeth Accomando said Tuesday.
Heavy rains also were part of the storm, leaving large patches of standing water in several locations, including Acreage Community Park North and on nearby 140th Avenue North.
“We got about two inches of rain on some very dry, parched land,” Accomando said. “So, that’s going to happen… This is a good reminder that rainy season is upon us, and we need to be prepared.”
Last October, a powerful EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed a number of homes in Wellington, Loxahatchee Groves, The Acreage, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter Farms.
