PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — The city of Palm Beach Gardens is cleaning up a day after an EF3 tornado caused extensive damage to a community.
The National Weather Service said the tornado that ripped through the Avenir neighborhood, located along Northlake Boulevard, had winds of 140 mph.
Crews with the city of Palm Beach Gardens said they spent Thursday working to clear roads in the community of debris and safety hazards to keep things passable for emergency vehicles.
One photo that was sent to WPTV from the Avenir community showed crews removing a large dumpster that landed on the roof of a home.
Crystal Griffin
Chopper 5 flew over the community Thursday evening which showed major roof damage to a Publix under construction.
WPTV Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle surveyed damage in the Rustic Ranches community of Wellington Thursday. Fifteen people were in a home that was destroyed yesterday. They got no warning but, miraculously, all survived.
NWS meteorologist Robert Molleda, who was assessing the damage, told Weagle that EF3 tornadoes in South Florida are "very rare." He also said he believed this particular tornado went from south to north, and actually started at the Broward County line before moving into Palm Beach County.
WATCH: Interview with NWS meteorologist Robert Molleda
"Considerable structural damage ... was observed on brand new, well-built homes and included segments of concrete block walls missing and large sections of roof removed," the NWS said in a report released Thursday afternoon.
The report went on to say that the tornado had a "relatively long track" and this preliminary rating was based on just one neighborhood which was "also one of the hardest hit."
WATCH BELOW: Chopper 5 gets aerial view of damage in Avenir
The city of Palm Beach Gardens advised residents to limit traffic and stay off of roadways, as there are multiple traffic signals out at intersections.
WPTV reporter Briana Nespral went to the Avenir neighborhood in Palm Beach Gardens on Wednesday to assess the damage after tornadoes from Hurricane Milton ripped-off roofs off homes and flipped cars.
Weather News
