The Wabasso Tornado - December 13, 2002
At 11:55 AM, a tornado formed in Wabasso, Florida, traveling approximately 
1.5 miles, roughly following highway 510.  First indications of the tornado were 
found at the southern end of 64th Court, and a path was surveyed through the
intersection of highway 510 and 513 to US-1 east of 55th avenue, between 87th 
Street and highway 510.  
The path was about 50 yards wide at most, and often far less wide.
Preliminary tornado intensity assigned was F1 on the Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale.
There was one minor injury reported.
The area had been under a Tornado Watch since early morning.  After an active 
weather morning, with several warnings issued for other nearby counties, residents 
said they were aware that this would be a day with potential for severe weather.  
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for southeast Brevard County and 
eastern Indian River County at 11:31 am, in effect until 12:30 pm.  The warning 
stressed that a tornado could develop with little or no warning in the area.
 
The area affected, and approximate path determined by survey team:

 
Damage Photos, refer to numbered spots in map above for locations:

Location 1
Location 2
Location 3
Location 4
Location 5


Surface Analysis:


 


Visible Satellite Image:


 


Radar Velocity Image:

 


Radar Reflectivity Image:

 

Products issued:
  
WUUS52 KMLB 131635
SVRMLB
FLC009-061-131730-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL
1131 AM EST FRI DEC 13 2002

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MELBOURNE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN BREVARD COUNTY
  INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
  IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

* UNTIL 1230 PM EST

* AT 1130 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS REACHING OVER EXTREME SOUTHERN 
  BREVARD COUNTY OVER MALABAR AND INTO INDIAN RIVER COUNTY NEAR BLUE 
  CYPRESS LAKE. THE STORMS WERE MOVING QUICKLY NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* THE STORMS WILL CROSS THE COAST FROM MELBOURNE BEACH SOUTH TO 
  SEBASTIAN AND VERO BEACH. PERSONS SHOULD TAKE COVER FROM THESE 
  STORMS IMMEDIATELY. 

A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. GO TO
A SAFE PLACE IF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS APPROACH YOUR AREA...ESPECIALLY
IF YOU LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME.

REPORT LARGE HAIL...DIME SIZE OR LARGER...OR SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE
TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELAY TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE.

$$

LAT...LON 2801 8069 2764 8055 2761 8016 2844 8028

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