Storm damages Longboat Key community

A 30-second gust of powerful winds and rain hit the middle of Longboat Key at 4:45 p.m., Wednesday, ripping off roofs and downing power lines in the Twin Shores and Gulfshore mobile home park communities.

About 15 mobile homes, mostly in Twin Shores, were damaged. Three homes had roofs partially torn off. The Twin Shores parking lot roof also blew off, with shredded pieces of metal flying onto and over several homes, creating roof damage as it made its way into Sarasota Bay.

The damage caused at least three residents to evacuate to a clubhouse on the property. No one was injured during the brief storm.

The majority of the mobile home park residents were without power for the night and power was being restored this morning.

For more information, pick up a copy of Thursday’s April 7 Longboat Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].