JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A brief, weak tornado was reported Thursday on Huguenot Memorial Park Beach, according to the National Weather Service.
The EF-0 tornado spotted about 1:38 p.m. had estimated 65 mph peak winds was about 40 yards wide and was on the ground for only a tenth of a mile.
Straight line winds from the storms produced minor damage, which preceded "a possible circulation over the mouth of the St. Johns River" that touched down briefly as an EF-0 tornado on Huguenot Park Beach, the NWS said.
The NWS said a line of strong thunderstorms pushed Northeast through Duval County and reached the Mayport Naval Station around 1:35 p.m.
A large tree was down on a mobile home at Oaks of Atlantic Beach, on Regas Drive East, just off Wonderwood Drive in Mayport.
With a quarter of his home, including his entire bedroom, demolished by the tree, William Adams said, he's just thankful he was not inside at the time.
"I, kind of, swept up a lot of this popcorn insulation, which is down here. I've taken my clothes out of the closet. But as you see, there's a big tree right here in the middle of the house. My bedroom and my bed is covered," said Adams, one the homeowners. "I just have a lot of work to do but I'm not going to give up."
Adams said what's more frustrating is that downed tree came from his neighbor's yard, and he had been hoping since Hurricane Matthew for the tree to be cut down.
But for now, the 13-year resident of the Oaks of Atlantic Beach community said he's remaining positive.
"I could not be here talking with you," Adams said. "My spirit is still happy. So I'm glad I'm here."
The Red Cross has stepped in to help Adams and the leasing office offered him a tarp to cover his home.