Broward County tornadoes of March 1, 1980

Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991.^[1][b] 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments.^[5][c] Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.

Possibly a tornado family, an intense twister touched down in southwestern Oakland Park, striking the Royal Park condominium. There it damaged 20 or more automobiles and flipped five, one of which it piled atop another. It also extensively damaged 20 condo units; flying glass flayed several residents, resulting in severe injuries. Hitting Easterlin Park, it downed trees, lofted tents, and upended campers, injuring four people. Officials said the park was "leveled" and that tree damage would "take years" to repair, the Fort Lauderdale News stated. The twister then overturned an 18-wheeler on 44th Street, near Commercial Boulevard. Crossing I-95, it was described as a "triangular black funnel with blue lights around it". It then impacted an elementary school, wrecking a portable classroom. Near Andrews Avenue and Prospect Road it flipped a few other large trucks, while tipping a nearby car onto its side, stranding people inside. At Oakland Pines Apartments it broke windows, felled trees, and unroofed buildings, turning the complex into a "battlefield", according to a denizen. A transformer was blown away and deemed missing. One person commented that she "saw the traffic lights flying off the wires and power lines flying in every direction".

In Pompano Beach the twister blew out windows in an art gallery, badly damaged a furniture store, unroofed a warehouse, hit the Sun Sentinel offices, and injured 10 restauranteurs. It knocked down fencing and gates at a cemetery; tore out walls at the Island Club; and entangled an 8-foot (2.4 m) fishing boat in power lines, 15 ft (4.6 m) above ground. It then hit oceanside condos, doing most of its damage. An elderly woman fell six stories to her death, and a few other deaths were rumored. The tornado then moved over the Atlantic Ocean, having injured 33 people, most of them slightly. It or related events may have hit northern Fort Lauderdale, just south of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport; Coconut Creek; or near Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. Multiple funnel clouds were sighted in Coconut Creek and elsewhere along the path. The tornado was the most damaging to hit South Florida since 1953, unroofing numerous apartments and other buildings; it also damaged many businesses. About 300 to 400 buildings were affected, but homes were not completely destroyed. After the storm 200 public workers in Pompano Beach were mustered for cleanup, as were 80 in Oakland Park. As of 2024, the tornado is one of just three official E/F3s on record in South Florida.^[g][22]

Winds toppled trees in Wilton Manors, and peaked at 52 kn (60 mph; 96 km/h) in Monroe County.^[20][23]

• List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
• Tornado outbreak of February 23, 1965 – Also spawned an F3 tornado near Fort Lauderdale