Miami

‘Great Miami Tornado' Touched Down 25 Years Ago Today

The F1 tornado was eight miles long with winds between 100 to 120 mph when it touched down on May 12, 1997

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Thursday marks the 25th anniversary of the infamous twister known as the "Great Miami Tornado."

The F1 tornado was eight miles long with winds between 100 to 120 mph when it touched down on May 12, 1997.

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The "Great Miami Tornado" of 1997
NBC 6
The "Great Miami Tornado" of 1997

The system had a path of destruction from 30 to 100 yards wide and made its way from Little Havana to downtown Miami and onto Miami Beach before dissipating.

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302085 01: Cars on Highway 395 near Star Island drive towards a tornado May 12, 1997 touching down in Miami, Florida . (Photo by Kent F. Berg/The Miami Herald/Getty Images)
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302085 01: Cars on Highway 395 near Star Island drive towards a tornado May 12, 1997 touching down in Miami, Florida . (Photo by Kent F. Berg/The Miami Herald/Getty Images)

The twister looked menacing as it swept through the area for about 15 minutes, but caused about $525,000 in damage and no fatalities.

It's been 25 years since the infamous "Great Miami Tornado," and NBC 6's Ari Odzer was there. He recalls the surreal moments of witnessing the twister.
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