As recovery and cleanup in the aftermath of last night’s tornado began today in Pensacola, the sheer swath of devastation left behind was especially stark from above. From the air, entire blocks, roofs, and tree lines showed the twisting path of the storm as residents, utility crews, and first responders worked throughout the day to restore some sense of normalcy.
Morning damage assessment crews documented 14 destroyed structures, 40 with major damage, and another 100 with minor damage along the tornado’s roughly two-mile path through northeast Pensacola. Officials said those numbers were likely to grow as inspectors gained better access to damaged neighborhoods and completed door-to-door surveys.
Several communities along Olive Road and Scenic Highway were hit hard. At The Moorings apartment complex, large pine trees were snapped and thrown hundreds of feet, crashing through roofs, vehicles, and neighboring units. In nearby townhome developments along Scenic Highway, some buildings were heavily damaged or swept from their foundations, leaving only debris fields where homes once stood.
The Northpointe neighborhood also suffered major impacts as dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed. From above, blue tarps, shattered roofs, scattered fences, and uprooted trees formed a jagged trail of destruction, clearly marking the tornado’s path. Streets were littered with debris as residents sorted through belongings and began the long process of repair and rebuilding.
County officials have restricted access to the hardest-hit areas, allowing only residents with proof of address to reenter their neighborhoods. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is maintaining checkpoints to limit traffic, protect property, and ensure that emergency and utility crews can move freely and safely as they restore power and clear roads.
Florida Governor Rick Scott issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as a result of the tornado. The declaration is expected to help accelerate state assistance and open the door for potential federal support. Despite the severity of the damage to homes and infrastructure, officials said that as of Wednesday afternoon there had been no fatalities and no reports of major injuries related to the storm.
Local leaders urged residents to document damage, contact their insurance companies, and report unsafe structures. As chainsaws buzzed and utility trucks moved from block to block, the aerial view of Pensacola told a story of both destruction and resilience — neighborhoods scarred by a powerful storm, but already taking the first steps toward recovery.