Tornado Claims Six Lives in St. Lucie County
Victims Identified
Authorities have identified the six people who lost their lives when a tornado touched down in the Spanish Lakes mobile home community in St. Lucie County.
The victims are:
- William Cutlip
- Mary Grace Viramontez
- Alejandro Alonso
- Roger Ammon
- Sandra MacDonald
- Debra Kennedy
Sheriff’s Statement
"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the tragic passing of the following St. Lucie County residents who lost their lives as a direct result of the tornado that touched down in Spanish Lakes," said Sheriff Keith Pearson. "I, along with the men and women of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, express our heartfelt condolences to their family and friends during this extremely difficult time."
Rescue Efforts
The sheriff’s team rescued 25 people from the neighborhood, which is largely composed of older, manufactured homes. They were assisted by search and rescue teams, who combed through the area to locate survivors.
Search and Recovery Efforts
When asked if crews are still looking for survivors, Sheriff Pearson responded, "We know the reality of it is a lot of elderly people have medical conditions. We’re going well beyond 48 hours. That means 48 hours with no medicine, 48 hours with no food."
Challenges of the Operation
The sheriff noted that one of the challenges of the operation is that his teams can’t get an accurate count of those who might be missing, as many residents are snowbirds and others may be renters.
Conclusion
The victims of the tornado, along with their families and friends, are in the thoughts and prayers of the entire St. Lucie County community. The sheriff’s office and rescue teams have worked tirelessly to search for survivors and provide aid to those affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many victims were identified?
A: Six people were identified as victims of the tornado.
Q: What is the current status of search and rescue efforts?
A: Search and recovery efforts are ongoing, but the sheriff expressed concern that many elderly residents may have serious medical conditions and have been without food and medicine for 48 hours or more.
Q: How many people were rescued?
A: 25 people were rescued from the neighborhood.
