The tornado, later given an EF2 rating by the National Weather Service, was believed to have peak wind gusts to 115 mph, equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.

A television meteorologist broadcast live on the air as a tornado hit his station's studio in Lake Mary, Florida, near Orlando. The meteorologist, Brooks Garner, warned employees to take shelter. Lights flickered during the broadcast and when it was all over Garner said he'd never experienced anything like that before.