Ocala tornado damage estimated at over $15M

OCALA, Fla. – Officials in Marion County are now estimating over $15 million in damage after a tornado tore through Ocala on Saturday. According to Orlando’s WKMG-TV, commissioners received an update Tuesday after the original estimate was placed at $12.3 million.

The National Weather Service said severe storms that ripped through Central Florida over the weekend produced an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 110 mph.

In its damage survey, NWS Jacksonville said the 200-yard-wide tornado traveled a path of approximately 25 miles from Dunnellon to Ocala in over 28 minutes.

Ocala police said the damage happened near the 3900 block of State Road 200.

Details in the NWS damage report described many uprooted trees in the north and east sides of Ocala, a toppled billboard, buildings with peeled siding near Dunnellon, downed power lines and damage to numerous residences, including an apartment building.

Marion County emergency management has set up its citizen information line to help answer any questions. The number is 352-369-7500 and is open until 9 p.m.