Stats

Path length: 3 miles

Width:  400 yards

Fatalities:  2

Injuries:  45

Rating:  F3

County:  Sarasota

Tornado Path

Click Map To Enlarge

SPC coordinates:  Start: 27.08 / -82.48   End:  27.07 / -82.42      

Note:  Exact tornado path may not be straight and/or continuous.

Summary

Four tornadoes were reported in the state of Florida on March 17, 1985.  The strongest occurred early in the AM.  It was given a rating of F3 and traveled a short path of 3 miles through parts of Sarasota County.  The tornado developed 2 miles SW of Venice and moved to 3 miles SE of town.  55 houses, many well-constructed, were destroyed.  220 other homes had minor to major damage.  A 65-year-old woman was killed inside a camper.  A 66-year-old man was killed while standing on his front porch.  45 people were injured.

Damage Photos from the March 1985 Storm Data Publication

Newspaper Clippings

Sources:

The Storm Prediction Center

NCDC Storm Events Database

March 1985 Storm Data Publication

newspapers.com

Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. Page 1265.

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