Marion County storm was EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds causing over $12 million in damage

A meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville said Sunday that the strong storm that passed through Marion County on Saturday, ripping apart everything in its path, was an EF-1 tornado with maximum sustained wind speed of 110 mph.

Pete Wolf said tornadoes have a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 being the weakest and 5 the strongest. Saturday’s tornado was an EF-1.

Wolf said the tornado’s path began near Dunnellon and traveled east, ending 5 miles east of Ocala. Its maximum sustained wind speed was 110 mph, and its width was 65 yards. The meteorologist said the storm traveled 26 miles at 50 to 60 mph, making it "a fast-moving tornado."

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Officials from the NWS, who arrived in Ocala on Saturday not long after the tornado struck, remained in the area and were expected to leave sometime Sunday. While here, Wolf said, officials will assess the damage, the pattern of the tornado and the severity of the damages.

Damage estimate: $12.3 million and climbing

Jimmy Cowan, Marion County's property appraiser, said the estimated property loss at this point is $12.3 million, and that figure could rise. The estimate includes structural damage, loss of personal property and the cost of debris removal.

Cowan said there's "a lot more field damage assessments to be done," and it's hard to tell how many more damaged structures his team will find.

"If you had damage, please report it to our website at www.Pa.Marion.Fl.us. Follow red banners instructions or simply click on yellow link on the Home page," Cowan said in a Facebook post.

Activity on many fronts on Sunday

There were multiple communities and businesses affected by Saturday's tornado. Crews on Sunday worked in chilly conditions, hauling away debris, clearing trees, placing tarps on exposed roofs and helping displaced residents gather and move their belongings.

There also was action on the official front: Gov. Ron DeSantis included Marion in his list of counties where a state of emergency was declared. Also, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity invited affected businesses to complete a business damage assessment survey at FloridaDisaster.biz.

Local officials again confirmed there were no reported injuries Saturday. The city of Belleview said it did not record any damage, while the city of Dunnellon reported minor property damage.

The county activated its citizen information phone line, (352) 369-7500, and roof tarps were being distributed at the Marion County Sheriff's Office multipurpose building.

Saddleworth Green apartment resident: 'It's hard to find a place.'

Thomas and Tiffany Willis are two of the many people affected by the tornado at Saddleworth Green apartments, 2901 SW 41st St., Ocala, which was among the hardest hit residential areas.

The couple said they have been living at the apartment complex while their home is built. They said their unit was damaged, and fire officials told them they had to leave.

For the time being, the Willises said they're going to stay in a hotel until they can decide on the next step.

Another resident, Donte Lerma, said apartment officials have told him that he could go to another apartment complex apparently owned by the same company to see if it has any available spots.

"I want to make sure we can get our foot in the door," Lerma said. He lives with his fiancé and their 6-month-old daughter.

Lema was at work Saturday when the tornado roared through about 8 a.m. His fiancé and daughter hid in a bathroom until the twister passed. He said a tree fell through a window next to their unit. Their electricity is now disconnected, so they cannot live there.

A third resident, Jann Luniewski, is hoping to find shelter for herself and her dog, Fannie Mae.

Luniewski said she remained at Saddleworth Green until 9 p.m. Saturday, when she was told she had to go because the power was shut off. She said she's currently staying with her son.

She said she moved into her unit around November. Management installed new appliances and she was looking forward to enjoying her residence.

"It's hard to find a place," she said, speculating it will be a long time before the affected apartments are fixed.

Ocala police officers were at the front gate Sunday and were only allowing residents to enter. Those who were affected by the tornado could go in and get their belongings, but then had to leave.

Police officials said they were told that 10 units were considered not habitable.

The scene at El Dorado off SW 24th Avenue in Ocala

The damage inside El Dorado, a gated community less than two miles from Saddleworth Green, was extensive, with multiple roofs affected and many downed trees.

Hema Patel is among those displaced from her home. In a phone interview Sunday, Patel said she and her family are staying with a relative and they're doing OK.

She said she was at her home until 9:15 p.m. Saturday waiting for officials to see if her roof could be temporarily covered. But she was told crews could not put a tarp or boards on the exposed portion, so she had to leave.

Shelter and assistance are available

Michelene Holland and Thomas Hill of the American Red Cross were at the Marion County Sheriff's Office's multipurpose building Sunday morning. Holland said her agency's trucks went to the areas most affected by the tornado to provide food, water and other essentials.

She said a shelter for those who need it is available at Central Christian Church, 3010 NE 14th St., Ocala.

Holland said they did not have anyone visit the shelter Saturday night. She said the shelter can accommodate up to 75 people, and perhaps more if the need arises.

The shelter is at the Family Life Center, Building 400, on the church's property. The church partnered with Marion County Emergency Management.

Holland said the shelter will be open as long as there's a need.

The Salvation Army was at Saddleworth Green apartments this weekend, providing water and snacks for residents and first responders.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala, Florida tornado: Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency