An EF2 tornado and severe straight line winds wreaked havoc across northern Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in Florida on May 10, 2024, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Mobile, Alabama.
- The tornado, which reached estimated peak winds of 115 mph, touched down at 3:53 AM, 3 miles west-northwest of Munson in Santa Rosa County, and traveled 12.25 miles before lifting 3 miles west-southwest of Nubbin Ridge in Okaloosa County at 4:04 AM.
The tornado left a path of destruction, snapping numerous pine trees and downing power lines in a convergent pattern, according to NWS. It reached its maximum width of 450 yards over Munson, where it caused extensive damage. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported as a result of the tornado.
In addition to the tornado, large swaths of significant straight line wind damage were surveyed in northern Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Wind speeds were estimated to have reached between 100 and 110 mph along State Highway 87 between Allentown and Berrydale, where numerous wooden power lines were snapped, and metal roofing from a small barn was launched about 200 yards toward the road.
The NWS also reported that numerous trees were snapped in a swath from Jay, Florida, to rural locations along and south of State Highway 4 from Jay to Berrydale, with wind speeds estimated between 80 and 110 mph.
- In the community of Baker, several large hardwood trees were downed, and a large oak tree fell on a mobile home about 2.5 miles southeast of the town.
Further southeast, straight line wind damage was observed in Crestview, where an awning was stripped from a canopy over a gas station, and stucco was stripped from the side of a church.
The NWS emphasized that the information provided in their statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.
