Most of North and Central Florida received only a much-needed, steady soaking rain Saturday night.
But some Flagler County residents are now picking up pieces of their homes after those soggy skies turned violent.
An EF1 tornado hit Palm Coast Saturday around 7 p.m. with winds up to 105 mph. Seven homes were completely destroyed, and officials said 164 were damaged by the storm.
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville conducted a damage survey Sunday and found that the rare December tornado first touched down north of Espanola at 6:55 p.m, and then intermittently touched down on a path totaling 9.5 miles across the “B” Section of Palm Coast. Surveyors said the damage path ranged from 75 yards to a maximum of 150 yards on Bannbury Lane, before weakening as it moved offshore across the “F” and Hammock sections.
December is typically one of the quieter months, with an average of only two occurring across the entire state per year, but according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or NOAA), tornadoes can and do occur any time of year in Florida.