A strong and deepening area of low pressure across the northern Gulf pushed a strong line of thunderstorms across the Florida peninsula. Numerous supercell thunderstorms were observed and a few produced strong tornadoes along and near the coast.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 04:30:00 to 17-JAN-16 04:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: GROVE CITY
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A home weather station on Don Pedro Island measured a wind gust to 58 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 04:35:00 to 17-JAN-16 04:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOKEELIA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported several power poles and lines down along Tropical Lane in Bokeelia.

Thunderstorm Wind in DE SOTO, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 04:55:00 to 17-JAN-16 04:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: CUBITUS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported multiple downed trees along Hammock Road near Arcadia.

Thunderstorm Wind in HIGHLANDS, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 10:35:00 to 17-JAN-16 10:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAKE PLACID
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A local newspaper reported damage to a few homes near H.L Bishop Park. One home had their lanai ripped off the home. Another resident had a few magnolia trees down in the yard while another had a tree fall through her bedroom window.

Thunderstorm Wind in MANATEE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 03:27:00 to 17-JAN-16 03:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: PARMALEE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A friend of a NWS employee reported the roof being peeled back on their trailer near Myakka City.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 04:43:00 to 17-JAN-16 04:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARBOR VIEW
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 225.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Charlotte County Emergency Management reported that they received an estimated 60 different calls from home and business owners about wind damage around western Charlotte County on the morning of the 17th. A total of 17 screen pool enclosures were damaged and 22 business had damage to the plastic covering of illuminated signs. Other reported damage included trees and branches blown down and minor damage to soffit and fascia. The emergency manager also noted that this was the most significant
Pictures were also relayed from broadcast media showing wind damage to the roof of a block walled commercial building. The pictures showed significant sections of the shingles and sub-roofing material were pulled up and deposited in the parking lot, resulting in water intrusion.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 05:05:00 to 17-JAN-16 05:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAYSHORE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported numerous power poles and lines down across Tammy Lane in North Fort Myers.

Tornado in SARASOTA, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 03:10:00 to 17-JAN-16 03:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINE SHRS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 12.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS Storm Survey crew found damage to multiple homes and structures along the path of the tornado. One home on Siesta Key had the second floor collapse on to the first. Two people were injured in that home. The tornado was 350 yards wide as it came ashore on Siesta Key before narrowing to around 100 yards wide as it crossed the intercoastal waterways.

Tornado in MANATEE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 03:35:00 to 17-JAN-16 03:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAK KNOLL
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The NWS Storm Survey found a single-wide mobile home destroyed and rolled over. Seven people were inside the home, two adults were killed with four injured. The tornado also destroyed a 2000 square foot barn. The damage was in a very rural, isolated area and the Manatee County Sheriffs surveyed the storm track by helicopter and found numerous trees down along the path.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARDEE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 04:55:00 to 17-JAN-16 04:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: WAUCHULA MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A Hardee County 911 operator relayed a report of a downed powerline on Colin Road near Wauchula. A resident came in contact with a live wire and was injured.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARDEE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 04:55:00 to 17-JAN-16 04:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: WAUCHULA MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

There were reports of trees down blocking Cecil Durrance Road east of Wauchula.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 05:00:00 to 17-JAN-16 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FROSTPROOF
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A resident of Frostproof reported an awning was blown off their home.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, FLORIDA
From 17-JAN-16 05:25:00 to 17-JAN-16 05:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: OLGA
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported numerous large trees down on West Court Place in Buckingham.