SPC Stats
Path length: 5.8 miles
Width: 150 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 18
Rating: F2
County: Polk
Three tornadoes occurred on December 27, 1997 in the state of Florida. The strongest was given an F2 rating. It developed in the Lake Region Mobile Home Park along US Highway 27 and County Road 544 in Polk County. Several residents remarked that the tornado sounded like “a high-pitched whine”. Many mobile homes had major to severe damage.
The tornado traveled to the northeast for nearly six miles, paralleling US 27. A total of 75 homes were destroyed and another 75-100 had major damage. Most of the destroyed homes were mobile or pre-fabricated. Ten vehicles were damaged/destroyed. The Boone Middle School over eastern Haines city had major damage to the main building. Eleven portable classrooms were destroyed/heavily damaged.
Tornado Path
SPC coordinates: Start: 28.07 / -81.67 End: 28.13 / -81.60
Corrected Coordinates based on Storm Data:
28.058849/-81.653207 End: 28.125524/-81.589203
Note: Exact tornado path may not be straight and/or continuous.
Images via Storm Data
Getty Images
Newspaper Clippings
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