Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Power restored in Apalachicola after tornado

The twister, which started as a waterspout, damaged several buildings in the coastal town.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published October 30, 2006

APALACHICOLA - Electricity was restored Sunday in this seaside community as residents pushed on with cleanup efforts after a damaging tornado rumbled through town.

Tanya Evans, a spokeswoman for Progress Energy, said as of 5 p.m. Sunday, all 1,600 customers who lost power during Friday's twister had electricity restored.

The tornado caused damage to a hospital, a fast food restaurant, a school and dozens of homes in this town of about 2,500 people, Franklin County's emergency management officials said. Three homes were destroyed.

Two people were treated at a hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

The tornado started as a waterspout and came ashore in Apalachicola, which is about 65 miles southwest of Tallahassee, about 6:10 p.m. Friday and lasted for about five minutes, weather officials said.

The tornado had a milelong path and a 100-yard width, the National Weather Service in Tallahassee said.

Weather Service spokesman Mike Jamski said it may be an F-1 tornado, but that won't be officially determined until next week after more surveys are done.

An F-0 tornado has winds of less than 73 mph, while an F-1 has winds of 73 to 112 mph.

[Last modified October 30, 2006, 00:31:44]