Jacksonville tornado confirmed as EF-1

Preliminary rating following NWS survey

Jacksonville, Fl — The National Weather Service confirms the tornado that damaged buildings as it cut through Jacksonville, near Downtown, has been rated EF-1 following a survey. The NWS says the tornado had peak winds between 105-110 MPH.

A storm survey team toured damage along Jacksonville’s Southside. The storm, which happened around 4:45 pm Wednesday, was short-lived but damaged structures and brought traffic to a standstill on Philips, University, as well as I-95. The NWS says the tornado was on the ground from 4:45 PM until 4:51 PM for 3.75 miles. The NWS survey found that the tornado initially touched down along San Ardo Drive which is near Baymeadows Road and San Jose. The tornado then moved on a northward path.

No injuries were reported as the tornado moved through. However, one young man was killed earlier in the afternoon when a tree fell on his vehicle in the Ortega area.

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