Sunday update: National Weather Service officials continue to investigate multiple reports of a possible tornado that touched down briefly Saturday in Vero Lake Estates before it dissipated.
Forecasters initially classified the weather event as a thunderstorm. No injuries or serious damage was reported.
Meteorologists were expected to give an update on their investigation sometime Monday.
Earlier story:
VERO LAKE ESTATES — Meteorologists are investigating reports that a small tornado made a brief touchdown Saturday afternoon in Vero Lake Estates. There were no reports of injuries or major damage, forecasters said.
“Right now we’re calling it a thunderstorm. We can’t classify it as a tornado at this time,” National Weather Service in Melbourne Meteorologist John Pendergrast said. “It did toss around some backyard items, but it was not a strong wind event.”
Pendergrast said weather officials received reports of a fence being blown over.
The incident came as strong thunderstorms swept across the state. Weather forecasters issued a tornado watch late Saturday for six central Florida counties – not including Indian River – that remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida until 7 AM EST pic.twitter.com/O14AAMZQZW
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) February 7, 2021
There were no tornado watches or warnings issued as of 11:30 p.m. Saturday for Indian River County. Weather officials did issue out a significant weather advisory for the area at 4:41 p.m., noting that strong thunderstorms could produce funnel clouds, brief small tornadoes, and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
441 PM | Strong thunderstorm over Sebastian Highlands moving NE at 25 mph. Locations impacted are Sebastian, Fellsmere, and Barefoot Bay. Funnel clouds, brief small tornadoes and wind gusts up to 40 mph possible.
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) February 6, 2021
Several Vero Lake Estates residents left comments earlier Saturday on Facebook saying they saw a tornado – briefly – about 6 p.m. near 100th Court before it dissipated. One resident left a comment saying she saw “pieces of plywood flying through the air.”
“We have pictures (sent in) of the damage, but not the clouds” National Weather Service in Melbourne Meteorologist Kevin Rodriguez said. “We will look at surveillance images.”
Weather officials were expected to give an update on the investigation Sunday.
Forecasters said there will be a 70 percent chance of rain Sunday with thunderstorms for Indian River County. The day will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature near 80 degrees.
Southwest winds on Sunday will be between 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.