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Become a channel sponsor, and you'll gain access to exclusive bonuses. More details: FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida - A tornado swept through Fort Lauderdale, Florida , damaging boats and downing power lines. Officials received several phone calls and social media posts about the tornado near Federal Highway around 5:50 p.m. ET, according to the National Weather Service office in Miami. The NWS issued a tornado warning about five minutes before the tornado was reported. Fort Lauderdale officials said in a Facebook post that no injuries were reported and damage from the storm appeared to be minor. The couple from New York were in South Florida to support the Buffalo Bills team when they received a tornado warning on their cell phones. Moments later, they witnessed the tornado sweep through a residential neighborhood and marina and captured the entire event on video . Fort Lauderdale's mayor said utilities are working to restore power to the region and debris removal will take place Monday and Tuesday. An NWS team is expected to survey the damage Sunday to determine the strength and path of the tornado. There were several reports of other severe weather in the Sunshine State on Saturday, including funnel clouds, water tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. The strongest thunderstorm wind gust recorded in the Pine Island area was 52 miles per hour. The storms are associated with a cold front joining a strong northeasterly movement moving along the East Coast this weekend. The storm has created a mess of ice, snow and rain as it moves across the central Atlantic and northeast. More severe weather is possible in Florida in the coming days as another powerful storm moves across the eastern half of the country. There were no immediate reports of injuries and only isolated power outages were reported due to the tornado, which was captured by many residents and posted on social media. Shortly before 6 p.m., the tornado formed over land and touched down west of Las Olas Boulevard and the Coastal Waterway. As the tornado gained strength, it made contact with some structures, power lines and marine vessels in the immediate area, Fort Lauderdale police told CBS News Miami There may have been as many as three landings at three different locations in Broward amid a stormy weekend in South Florida. Dozens of people pulled out their phones and recorded, including NBC6 viewer Tim Price, who sent in video of the apparent tornado, including power surges. According to the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Rescue Department, the tornado formed over land and touched down west of Las Olas and ICW just before 6 p.m. Saturday night. It made contact with some structures, power lines and marine vessels in the area and then moved quickly eastward until it reached the ocean, no longer impacting land or the ICW. Emergency services were quick to respond, with rescue teams working tirelessly to search for survivors amid the rubble. The Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations have set up shelters to provide aid and support to those displaced by the storm. The community spirit, as seen in the tireless efforts of volunteers and neighbors helping one another, has been a silver lining in these tragic events. The aftermath of the tornadoes has sparked a discussion about preparedness and response to such natural disasters. Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of warning systems and the need for better infrastructure to withstand such powerful storms. Florida, no stranger to extreme weather, has always had robust emergency plans, but the unprecedented nature of these tornadoes has tested these systems to their limits. Climate experts suggest that these events could become more frequent and severe due to climate change. The warming of the ocean and the atmosphere contributes to more volatile weather patterns, making events like these more likely. This has led to calls for more action on climate change, both at a local and global level. The economic impact of the tornadoes is expected to be significant. Apart from the immediate damage to property and infrastructure, the long-term effects on businesses and tourism, a vital part of Florida's economy, are yet to be fully understood. Insurance companies are bracing for a surge in claims, and the state government is seeking federal assistance to aid in the recovery process. In conclusion, the tornadoes that hit Florida have been a tragic reminder of the power of nature and the increasing threat posed by extreme weather events. As the state begins the process of recovery and rebuilding, the focus is also shifting to how such disasters can be better managed in the future and what steps can be taken to mitigate the impact of climate change. The resilience and solidarity shown by the communities affected have been a beacon of hope in these trying times.
