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Trees toppled, homes damaged, cars overturned in tornado

Storm damage spotted throughout northern Palm Beach County

Videos submitted to WPTV show the dramatic moments that a tornado touches down, causing damage in Palm Beach Gardens. Other viewer video shows a hail storm in North Palm Beach.

Cars overturned in Palm Beach Gardens on April 29, 2023

By: Allen Cone , Peter Burke

Posted

and last updated

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A tornado struck Saturday afternoon in northern Palm Beach County, toppling trees, damaging some property and overturning vehicles in parts of North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens.

At one time, about 7,500 people were without power, according to Florida Power & Light.

Palm Beach Gardens police were asking the public to avoid the area of PGA Boulevard east of the Intracoastal Waterway because of storm damage. At this time, roads are blocked at PGA Boulevard and U.S. Highway 1.

On Twitter, police gave an update of roads closed.

Update:
1. PGA & US1 remains closed
2. Bomar Rd cleared
3. A1A cleared
4. Burns Road & Rainwood Cir cleared
5. City Engineer & Building official continue to do structural damage assessment
6. Monet & Prosperity Farms cleared
7. PD monitoring 4 intersections without power
— Palm Beach Gardens Police (@PBGPD) April 30, 2023

closeup of cars on top of each other in Palm Beach Gardens parking lot, April 29, 2023

News Photo Gallery

Pictures of storm damage in northern Palm Beach County

Damage was reported at Sandalwood Estates, with one resident telling WPTV he heard the lightning and wind, grabbed his dog and went into a bathroom to hide. A tree came tumbling down on top of the building.

Storm damage at Sandalwood Estates in Palm Beach Gardens on April 29, 2023 — Tree branches are downed from a storm at Sandalwood Estates, April 29, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

"We ducked down in our car as it went over us," Shawn MacNamara, who lives at Sandalwood Estates in Palm Beach Gardens, said. "Scariest thing ever."

Storm damage at U.S. 1 and PGA Boulevard on April 29, 2023 — A WPTV First Alert Weather Spotter provided this photo of storm damage at U.S. Highway 1 and PGA Boulevard, April 29, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Rebecca Hilliard told WPTV that "a huge tornado just came threw (sic) my apartment complex in Palm Beach Gardens."

Tree split causing damage at U.S. Highway 1 and Palm Beach Gardens on April 29, 2023 — A WPTV First Alert Weather Spotter submitted this picture of a large tree that was split in half near U.S. Highway 1, April 29, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Several vehicles were damaged at Sanctuary Cove in Palm Beach Gardens.

Tree branch on top of car at Sanctuary Cove in Palm Beach Gardens on April 29, 2023 — A tree branch fell on top of this car, which was damaged in a storm, at Sanctuary Cove, April 29, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Drone video submitted by Matthew Blank showed significant roof damage at Sanctuary Cove. Gaping holes could be seen in the roof, exposing the interior of some apartments.

WATCH: Drone footage shows roof damage to Sanctuary Cove apartments

Drone footage shows roof damage to Sanctuary Cove apartments

Kevin Council also shared pictures of cars overturned in a Palm Beach Gardens parking lot.

Yellow caution tape around cars on top of each other in Palm Beach Gardens, April 29, 2023 — Yellow caution tape can be seen in the parking lot of an apartment complex where cars can be seen on top of each other, April 29, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

WPTV photojournalist Alex Hagan reported a window was knocked out at his North Palm Beach complex and trees toppled.

Damage to window at apartment complex in North Palm Beach on April 29, 2023 — WPTV photojournalist Alex Hagan took this picture of damage to his apartment complex, April 29, 2023, in North Palm Beach, Fla.

A WPTV First Alert Weather Spotter submitted a picture of a boat that had been lifted out of the water.

Diners outside of Carmine's La Trattoria in Palm Beach Gardens pulled out their cellphones as they spotted what they believed to be a tornado making its way near PGA Boulevard and Prosperity Farms Road.

A Twitter user by the name of "CannaBrain" shared a video from North Palm Beach of a car tumbling several times as the likely tornado strikes.

@WPBF25News @WPTV @CBS12
North Palm Beach Tornado That I Took Part In!
Not The Most Pleasant Experience!
Location
Pleasant Dr. & US1 Facing East! pic.twitter.com/IYHSzkocUK
— CannaBrain (@CannaMindSee420) April 29, 2023

"This is the scariest thing I've ever been in," a voice can be heard saying in the video. "Oh, my God. Holy (expletive). I hope this stops. I just saw a car flip over in front of me."

A Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue spokesman said no injuries have been reported.