Mid-March Severe Event
March 18, 2022
Summary of all Local Storm Reports (LSRs) on March 18th, as well as all the LSRs across the region for this event. Storm survey teams preliminarily concluded that there was one EF-1 tornado in addition to a swath of straight-line wind.
The data provided on this page are considered preliminary as we continue to analyze all available data. We will add more information to this page and social media as it becomes available. We thank you in advance for your patience.
Public Information Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 438 PM CDT Sat Mar 19 2022 ...NWS Damage Survey for 03/18/22 Tornado Event... .Okaloosa County, FL Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 95 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.5059 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50.0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/18/2022 Start Time: 12:28 PM CDT Start Location: 2 S Holt / Okaloosa County / FL Start Lat/Lon: 30.6823 / -86.7515 End Date: 03/18/2022 End Time: 12:32 PM CDT End Location: 2 SE Holt / Okaloosa County / FL End Lat/Lon: 30.6903 / -86.728 Survey Summary: A tornado touched down just west of the intersection of Log Lake Road and Sundance Way. The tornado damaged the roof of a house where numerous shingles were removed down to the tar paper. In addition, a manufactured home adjacent to the house was destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped and several trees were uprooted. The tornado proceeded east across Log Lake Road and damaged the roof of a manufactured home as well as snapped and twisted additional trees. A couple trees were also uprooted. The tornado continued along and crossed Sundance Way Cutoff Road where several more trees were snapped and uprooted. From there, the tornado progressed northeast and hit a home, ripping off a portion of the roof to include the decking underneath. This was thrown roughly 50 yards away into the front yard and into trees. Several large trees were also snapped near the base and twisted. A few more were uprooted as well. The tornado then lifted just beyond this property. Overall, the maximum width of the tornado reached 50 yards with a path length of about 1.5 miles. The National Weather Service in Mobile, AL would like to thank the Okaloosa County Emergency Management Agency for assisting with the preliminary damage maps. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.
The photos below were taken during the tornado survey in Okaloosa County and show the extent of the damage along the path of the tornado.
Poarch, AL Wind Event
Public Information Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 203 PM CDT Sat Mar 19 2022 ...NWS Damage Survey for 03/18/22 Thunderstorm Wind Event... .Poarch AL Wind Event... Peak Wind: 90-100 mph Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 10 Event Date: March 18, 2022 Event Time: 904 am Event Location: Poarch AL Survey Summary: A swath of damaging straight line winds impacted the Poarch, AL area on 3/18/22 at 9:04 AM CDT. A narrow swath of intense wind gusts estimated at 90 to 100mph affected a mobile home park where several mobile homes were rolled/destroyed. The surrounding area sustained severe wind gusts to the southeast where several trees were snapped/uprooted and a farm and nearby residences sustained roof damage to several buildings. The survey team found no evidence of convergence with all damage laid out in a southwest to northeast swath suggesting straight line wind damage. && NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.
The photos below were taken during the tornado survey in the Poarch community and show some of the straight-line wind damage.
Additional Information
Acknowledgements: Page created by Christina Leach (Forecaster) and Morgan Barry (Forecaster). Updated by Michael Mugrage (Forecaster).
LAST UPDATED: March 2024