Weather
At least 15 killed after tornado hits Spanish Lakes Country Club Village in Fort Pierce
Over 100 personnel are involved in the search and rescue operations.
A series of powerful tornadoes tore through a Fort Pierce community on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed that deaths had occurred at Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, located on Spanish Lakes Boulevard, but did not provide an exact number of casualties.
In an interview, Sheriff Pearson explained that his deputies and state emergency crews would be conducting door-to-door searches in the community, which is situated off Turnpike Feeder Road, west of Route 1.
Over 100 personnel are involved in the search and rescue operations.
“This is like nothing we’ve ever seen,” Pearson said, describing a scene where between six and twelve confirmed high-strength tornadoes ravaged the area within a 20-minute period. “We are doing everything possible to search the area, check the residences, and rescue anyone trapped inside,” he pledged.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and the National Guard are all providing support to the affected area.
Sheriff Pearson also confirmed that the SLCSO hangar was completely destroyed by a tornado, resulting in a loss estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
The 10,000 square foot steel structure housed the department’s vehicles.
DENVER, CO — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Denver has issued a Tornado Warning for southwestern Logan County and north-central Washington County in northeastern Colorado, effective until 5:45 p.m. MDT Friday.
At 5:11 p.m., weather spotters confirmed a tornado on the ground near Merino, approximately 11 miles southwest of Sterling, moving southeast at 20 miles per hour.
The storm system is producing a dangerous and damaging tornado, with the potential for:
- Flying debris posing serious risk to those outdoors or in vehicles
- Structural damage to homes, roofs, windows, and vehicles
- Uprooted trees and downed power lines
- Total destruction of mobile homes
Communities directly in the path of the tornado include:
- Merino
- Prewitt Reservoir
- Atwood
- Logan Corners
- Willard
- Messex
Residents in these areas should seek shelter immediately. The safest option is to move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows and exterior walls.
Do not attempt to outrun the tornado in a vehicle. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a low-lying area and protect your head.
This is a confirmed tornado, not just radar-indicated. Immediate action is critical to ensuring safety.
Continue monitoring local media, NOAA weather radio, or official NWS alerts for real-time updates.