BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Sunday night’s severe storm in Brevard County caused damage to trees, roofs, and other manufactured homes in the town of Micco.
A couple dozen homes and structures were damaged along the storm's path. Some debris was also dropped onto the nearby train tracks.
Kyle Beatty and his crew spent the day helping out for free, since Beatty has friends and family in the area.
An EF-0 ripped through several homes in a senior retirement community in southern Brevard County. @NWSMelbourne says winds were 60-70 mph.
— Will Robinson-Smith (@w_robinsonsmith) April 17, 2023
Starting tonight at 5 on @MyNews13, hear from those impacted and those who stepped up to lend a helping hand.#News13Brevard pic.twitter.com/RMs4A3nZ5N
One of those who had significant damange on their homes described the frightening experience.
"Fear, and an overwhelming sense of everything hitting us at once. What next? What do we do? What can we do? Stay safe," local resident Luis Rivera told Spectrum News.
Preliminary findings from the National Weather Service reported an EF0 tornado touched down in Micco with max winds of 60 to 70 mph. The 300- to 400-foot-wide tornado damaged 25 to 30 structures in the River Grove Community, along its 0.3 mile path, NWS reported.
The American Red Cross was on hand to help those impacted by the tornado. The disaster action team helped put tarps on homes and sheds, and is working with residents on how to recover from the storm's impacts.
A homeowner here in Micco believes his roof straps saved his home. Roof straps/clips are highly recommended by @fema, and this is exactly why. @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/tk6torRnJc
— Celeste Springer (@CelesteSpringer) April 17, 2023
A homeowner on Monday morning at the Rivergrove Mobile Home Village says he feels lucky.
“I just couldn’t believe it and I’m very thankful and grateful that I didn’t suffer any more damage on my home then I did. But my neighbor’s roofs here are resting up against my home as you can see,” said Rod Morrison.
@MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/OXKvuLs9LJ
— Celeste Springer (@CelesteSpringer) April 17, 2023
A look at some of the damage here at River Grove Mobile Home Village in Micco. The National Weather Service will be out here today to determine if this was a tornado or high wind event. More this morning on @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/yrkhNKhBT3
— Celeste Springer (@CelesteSpringer) April 17, 2023