NewsPalm Beach CountyRegion N Palm Beach CountyPalm Beach Gardens

Actions

Confirmed tornado leaves damage in Palm Beach Gardens

Posted at 6:57 AM, Apr 07, 2022
and last updated 2022-04-07 12:28:44-04

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A team from the National Weather Service in Miami was in Palm Beach Gardens Thursday to assess the damage left behind by a strong storm that blew through Wednesday afternoon.

At a news conference just after 12:15 p.m., the NWS confirmed that an EF-0 tornado with winds of 85 mph hit the area.

Video from near Palm Beach Gardens High School shows strong winds, heavy rain, and a possible funnel cloud sweeping through the area. Parts of the playground off Holly Drive were damaged. Large trees and bushes were also damaged by the strong winds.

NWS is required to assess the damage before confirming a tornado, but meteorologists from NWS are saying the videos show "tornadic circulation."

RELATED: Tornado Alley is expanding, hitting more Southern states than ever

Parents of students at Palm Beach Gardens High School say it was a traumatic scene when the winds picked up.

WATCH: Residents describe storm hitting Palm Beach Gardens

Severe storm rocks Palm Beach Gardens

"The first tornado touched down on Military [Road] right before I pulled into the parking lot," AJ Saunders said. "And all the debris went across the street."

Folks went into Palm Beach Gardens High School to take cover. No injuries were reported.

Trees at PGA National Golf Club were also damaged in the storm.

Four brush fires were sparked by the severe storms as they blew through the area, police said.

WPTV meteorologists are calling for more storms Thursday evening.