UPDATE: (January 6) - The National Weather Service was in DeLand today to declare that an E-1 tornado made a 3 mile long continuous path of damage stretching from Woodward Avenue Elementary to Colorado/New York Ave in DeLand on Saturday (January4). Maximum strength winds are estimated to have been 90 to 100 mph. It's believed that the tornado was on the ground for about four minutes. During that time, at least five homes were damaged in addition to the damage to city facilities. Officials say two homes are uninhabitable.
DeLand, FL - Officials from the National Weather Service are in DeLand today to determine whether a tornado touched down near Melching Field on Saturday (January 4). Storms moved through the area around noon, causing damage to Melching Field, the nearby Little League Field, and the VFW hall on Alabama Avenue.
Trees and power lines are down in the area and at Melching Field, some items, including bleachers and a batting cage, were blown around. One of the city's water plants was also damaged. A portion of Alabama Avenue, between Euclid Avenue and Beresford Avenue, will be shut down to traffic during the cleanup.
Damages to city facilities is estimated to be between $20,000 and $25,000. There are no injuries reported at this time.
