SPC Stats
Path length: 7.6 miles
Width: 33 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 9
Rating: F2
County: No county listed
A quick-hitting F2 tornado moved through parts of southern Miami-Dade County on December 20, 1973. It was one of two tornadoes to strike the area. The other hit near Kendall and was later rated F1.
The tornado developed in the eastern part of Florida City, moved northword through Homestead and ended two miles north of town. The greatest damage appeared to be in the Florida City area. The Gateway Trailer Estates was hit and numerous mobile homes were destroyed. Some were blown into a nearby lake. The Storm Data entry mentioned that the tornado was aloft at times through Homestead and that there damage there could have been much worse. Damage was estimated near $800,000. A total of 10 homes were destroyed and 40 others sustained major damage. Over 80 mobile homes were demolished or had extensive damage. Nine people were hospitalized.
Tornado Path
SPC coordinates: Start: 25.42 / -80.42 End: 25.52 / -80.37
Corrected Coordinates based on Storm Data:
Start: 25.445197/-80.476791 End: 25.501107/-80.476582.
Note: Exact tornado path may not be straight and/or continuous.
Newspaper Clippings
Discrepancies:
We gathered information for this event from the SPC & NCDC Databases, the December 1973 Storm Data Publication and Thomas Grazulis in Significant Tornadoes and found the following differences:
Path Length:
- SPC/NCDC have a 7.6 mile path length.
- Grazulis and Storm Data have a length at 6 miles.
Width:
- SPC/NCDC have a 33 yard width.
- Grazulis and Storm Data have a width at 35 miles.
Counties:
- SPC does not list a county.
- Grazulis and Storm Data have Dade Count.
- NCDC has Miami-Dade County. This is the official name of the county as of 1997.
Sources:
December 1973 Storm Data Publication
Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. Page 1147.
Questions or comments about this summary? Contact us here!
Join the tornado history discussion on our Discord Server!
0 Comments