A tornado touched down in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday evening, causing minor damage and scattered power outages. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a tornado warning for the area shortly before the tornado formed.

Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries. Many residents captured videos of the twister and posted them on social media platforms, showing a funnel cloud forming above downtown Fort Lauderdale and causing a minor explosion as it spun.

The NWS sent a team to survey the impacted areas on Sunday. According to NWS Senior Meteorologist Robert Garcia, the tornado touched down north of the Lauderdale Yacht Club at approximately 5:47 p.m., before heading northeastward towards State Road A1A. It ultimately dissipated when it reached the Intracoastal Waterway around 5:50 p.m. Wind rotation was picked up by CBS News Miami's NEXT Weather radar at 5:45 p.m.

The tornado traveled along a 1.5-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards and reached a maximum wind speed of 80 mph. Based on these measurements, it was classified as an EF-0 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which rates tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and related damage.

The tornado made contact with some structures, power lines, and marine vessels, causing damage in the immediate area. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to reports of a damaged vessel at 1 Las Olas Circle and a damaged home at 1733 SE 10th Street. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and no distress calls were made. However, roof damage was discovered at a nearby home.

The City of Fort Lauderdale reassured the public that there have been no reports of injuries so far and that the damage appears to be minor. They urged caution due to debris and downed power lines in the area.

Fort Lauderdale Police conducted an extensive assessment to confirm that no other structures were significantly damaged and that no injuries occurred beyond the impacted areas.

NWS Senior Meteorologist Robert Garcia warned of the potential for more severe weather in the upcoming week and emphasized the importance of receiving alerts through various channels and taking them seriously. He reminded residents to seek shelter in interior rooms away from windows during tornado warnings to increase their chances of safety.

The NWS team found various debris thrown around during the tornado, including tarps, portions of awning, and fencing impacted by plywood from construction sites. Additionally, several neighborhoods experienced tree damage, particularly to oak trees and other long-lived trees.

Garcia attributed the increased storm activity to the El Nino in the eastern Pacific, which has resulted in warmer waters and more severe weather patterns in South Florida. He pointed out that nighttime tornado activity is not uncommon in the region.

As another cold front approaches the area from late Monday through Wednesday, South Florida may experience strong winds and the possibility of severe thunderstorms and tornadic activity.

Overall, residents of Broward County were fortunate that the tornado occurred during the daytime, allowing them to see and react quickly. However, Garcia cautioned that fatalities are more likely to occur if a tornado strikes at night when people are asleep and less aware of the situation.

With the upcoming week bringing the potential for further severe weather, it is crucial for residents to stay vigilant and have multiple methods of receiving tornado warnings to ensure their safety.