Surviving South Florida's Severe Weather

Anticipating severe weather, we moved "Little Lara" to Lake Sylvia February 15th.  This anchorage is surrounded on all sides by high-end homes. Access to the lake is gained through a narrow channel. A popular anchorage with locals, it has good holding and all-around protection.  When we arrived, fifteen other boats were already at anchor.  Once our anchor was set, we felt secure. The next morning as the sun was rising, storm clouds were gathering on the horizon with lighting flashing inside them. The radar showed a strong storm cell approaching the area.

Southern Florida Radar Image
 February 16, 2016

The storm hit suddenly with winds approaching 60 miles per hour. "Little Lara" was knocked down on her beam (side).  Though it felt like minutes, in reality it was probably seconds before she  righted. Sea water began backing up into the galley sink while we were heeled over so far. We hurriedly closed the sea cock.  The wind and rain were blowing so hard we were unable to see the bow of the boat much less what was happening to the other boats in the anchorage.  As the wind continued to blow, "Little Lara" began to yaw from side to side, tugging at her anchor rode. As the rain continued to fall, it began cascading down the companion way. It was raining sideways. 

Because the previous night had been cool, we had not yet opened any of the port holes, so all openings but the companion way were dogged down tight. We quickly secured the canvas over this opening. Looking out the companion way Peggy noticed "Little Lara" was being pushed dangerously close to the nearby docks.  Jumping out into the cockpit, I hit the engine's starter button and it fired-up immediately.  Throwing the transmission into gear, I steered "Little Lara" into deeper water, relieving the pressure on the anchor.  But, with so much heavy rain, it was impossible to see ahead or to either side -- it was difficult to breathe with so much water in the air. 

Within thirty minutes the storm passed.  As the wind died down and the rain ceased we noticed all types of debris in the water around us: leaves, branches, fuel cans, cushions, kayaks, dinghies, etc. Then we noticed a boat against the seawall, boats banging into each other with their anchor rodes tangled together, and two boats sunk.  Some of these boats had drifted past "Little Lara" during the worst of the storm and we had not seen them!  Remarkably, no one was injured. Of the boats sunk, one was a trawler, the other was a catamaran.  

Sunk Trawler

When the trawler was initially hit by the blast of wind, it heeled over and water rushed into its cabin swamping it.  The 37 foot catamaran, weighing 14,000 pounds, was flipped by the wind quickly turning turtle.

Flipped Catamaran

After the storm we went around the anchorage checking on the other boats, surveying the damage and searching for items lost overboard. Every boat we visited reported some kind of damage including torn sails, ripped biminies, lost solar panels, bent stanchions, destroyed wind generators, damaged gelcoat, lost dinghy motors, etc.

Below is a link to local TV station's coverage of the storm.  It includes helicopter film footage, interviews, and pictures.  They reported the storm as a tornado.  It probably was.  (Note: you may have to copy and past this link into the address line on your computer)

 http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Severe-Weather-Overturns-Boats-in-Fort-Lauderdale-368950021.html

Below are videos we took of the two sunk boats:

We felt very blessed as "Little Lara" suffered no damage and we incurred no injuries.  We were also very thankful none of our fellow sailors were hurt.  Our prayers go out to the owners of the two sunk boats.  Both boats were re-floated within 24 hours and were taken to nearby yards for repairs. Hopefully they will be sailing again soon. 

Catamaran Re-floated

Here in south Florida we continue to pray for fair winds and the same for you.