Two full days later, the shock is gone. Hundreds of Palm Beach County storm victims are busy assessing the damage and starting the rebuilding process after an F3-level tornado rampaged through Wellington, the Loxahatchee area, and Palm Beach Gardens.
A brand-new Publix store in that city’s Avenir development, slated to open in three weeks, took a direct hit from the tornado. It ripped a huge hole in the roof and even damaged the foundation. It’s a total loss, and Palm Beach Gardens city officials told us that the building must be demolished and then rebuilt from scratch.
“You know, you just don’t think it will happen to you, and not here, we don’t really have these kinds of tornadoes,” said Melody Russell.
Her house was sidewiped by the twister. Her neighborhood looks like a war zone, with big trees snapped in two and vehicles tossed around like toy cars.
“The …