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Miami neighborhood a mess, but survivors of tornado feel blessed
©Associated Press MIAMI -- When a tornado ripped through Maggie Williams' neighborhood, she and her daughters survived unhurt by hiding in her closet as a tree branch crashed through their bedroom ceiling and their roof blew off. Others in the Liberty City-Brownsville neighborhood weren't so lucky during Thursday's storm -- a 67-year-old man died and 12 people were injured when winds in excess of 110 mph damaged homes, toppled trees and overturned vehicles. "I was scared, but we didn't get killed, so I thank the Lord for that," Williams, 81, said Friday. About six tornadoes touched down during storms that swept the state Thursday afternoon, officials said. Seven people were injured at an Ocala golf course restaurant, and a Gainesville community college was flooded. In Liberty City-Brownsville on Friday, residents stood on street corners discussing the damage, between gathering up torn pieces of house siding and chain-link fences. Police cordoned off the area as cleanup and utilities repair crews worked. A man was killed when a tree branch crashed into his living room. His name had not been released. A semitrailer truck tipped over and crushed two cars. The cars' passengers had escaped, police said. The National Weather Service said the tornado had winds between 113 and 157 mph. In Ocala, wind blew over a 30-by-60-foot hospitality tent at the Nancy Lopez Legacy Country Club while at least two dozen people were underneath it. "For a while, I was airborne," said Richard Plunkett, 60. "One minute we were sitting there, the next minute we're 10, 15 feet away." Seven customers at the Central Florida club were injured, including one with serious facial injuries, said Toni Wilson, spokeswoman for the Villages Regional Hospital. In Gainesville, Santa Fe Community College closed after 11/2 feet of water flooded buildings. "Hail was hitting the windows almost parallel to the ground, it was coming at such velocity," said Larry Keen, spokesman. Workers pumped most of the water out and the school reopened Friday. A tornado touched down near the Naples airport in southwest Florida, with minor damage to roofs and trees.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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From the Times state desk
From the state wire
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