Two tornadoes were reported in South Florida’s Broward County on Tuesday night as Hurricane Ian slams the state’s Gulf Coast.
The first tornado struck just before 7:30 p.m. south of Cooper City. The tornado warning included nearby Davie, Plantation, and Lauderdale Lakes.
Tornado is intensifying and will likely impact west metro portions of Broward County included in this polygon. If you are nearby, take cover now!!! https://t.co/p1uPN1XqNR
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) September 27, 2022
Approximately an hour later, a second tornado was confirmed in the same area, with the warning including the Pembroke Pines and West Hollywood areas.
This is now a CONFIRMED tornado. Radar data indicates debris. Take cover if in the warning! Will move very close to the path of the previous tornado. https://t.co/Efejf1L0Dq
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) September 27, 2022
Widespread damage was reported in the area, including approximately 15 small aircraft damaged or destroyed at the North Perry Airport in Hollywood.
Breaking: Photos coming in from North Perry Airport in Hollywood, where a possible Tornado touched down. @NWSMiami pic.twitter.com/rhfbfPWWMw
— Total Traffic Miami (@TotalTrafficMIA) September 28, 2022
A Twitter post by Total Traffic Miami revealed video of the destruction of small aircraft at the airport.
NEW VIDEO: Over 15 planes damaged at North Perry Airport north side (more possibly on the south side) due to a suspected tornado. #IAN #HurricaneIan
📽️ Video Courtesy TTWN/Steven J Grey pic.twitter.com/W4kQPU3R32— Total Traffic Miami (@TotalTrafficMIA) September 28, 2022
Video footage from a local Publix also revealed the destruction along Sheridan Street in Hollywood, Florida.
A Local 10 News viewer shared this video from the parking lot of the Publix Supermarket at 9359 Sheridan St. pic.twitter.com/Hzvyvcl6hO
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) September 28, 2022
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the tornado west of Delray Beach left two people hospitalized and 35 people displaced, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Tom Reyes.
Pasadena Lakes Elementary School in Pembroke Pines was also reportedly damaged, along with widespread downed trees and some debris in roads across the area.
As of Wednesday morning, 17,600 homes are reportedly without power in Miami-Dade County. Another 11,360 homes are without electricity in neighboring Broward County.
The damage from the two tornadoes comes as Hurricane Ian reached top winds of 155 miles per hour, just shy of Category 5 status, on Wednesday.
More than 2.5 million Florida residents are under evacuation orders, but on Tuesday morning Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) warned that it was no longer safe for those in some regions to flee.
“If you are in any of those counties it is no longer possible to safely evacuate. It’s time to hunker down and prepare for the storm,” DeSantis said. “Do what you need to do to stay safe. If you are where that storm is approaching, you’re already in hazardous conditions. It’s going to get a lot worse very quickly. So please hunker down.”
In Charlotte County, the area’s Fire and EMS services have been temporarily suspended due to hazardous conditions from Ian. Charlotte County is located north of Fort Myers and south of Venice.
Charlotte County Fire & EMS has suspended emergency response to calls for service due to hazardous weather conditions. @CCSOFLSheriff & City of Punta Gorda first responders have suspended emergency response to calls for service due to hazardous weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/IjXYRBcOtM
— Charlotte County Emergency Management (@CCOEM) September 28, 2022
Emergency Management Director Patrick Fuller announced that 911 calls will remain operational, but authorities will not be able to respond.
“Over the next several hours of which we will begin experiencing the most extreme effects of Hurricane Ian, we can expect to see storm surge to life-threatening levels into several of our hurricane evacuation zones in Charlotte County,” he explained during a press conference.