An EF-2 tornado registering with wind speeds in excess of 100 mph ripped through Cape Coral, Fla., Saturday evening, causing extensive damage to the area and leaving many residents without power. Cape Coral Police and Florida Governor Rick Scott arrived on the scene the following morning to assess the damage. Estimates indicate that at least 100 homes were damaged, however it was confirmed that the tornado affected a 12-square mile area with the majority of the damage witnessed in the area bordered by Gleason Parkway to the north, Cape Coral Parkway to the south, Pelican Boulevard to the east and Sands Boulevard to the west, according to CBS' Florida affiliate WTSP-TV.
The local fire department had personnel going from door-to-door in the county in order to check damages and welfare checks.
Through that investigation, it was determined that nearly 10,000 people were without power shortly after the incident, though that number was reduced to 1,500 a few hours later. It's believed that power won't be fully restored until later Monday.
"We have numerous power lines down, we have numerous homes that have been damaged," said Cape Coral Police spokesman Dana Coston, according to the Associated Press.
Residents speaking to local media revealed that the tornado came quickly and provided them with little chance to respond.
"Within minutes everything let loose. I heard glass behind me shattering everywhere," said Kelly Anderson, noting she went to the bathroom to hide when winds began to pick up and rattle the surrounding area.
She went on to describe some of the damage she saw after she was able to leave her home when the winds subsided.
"The truck literally flew from the driveway to the backyard and the boat landed on top of it and I'm just very surprised that everybody inside that house is safe," she said of one home.
Another resident, Rick Koch, described the moment the tornado hit his home. "The windows started to break and I told them to get out of the living room," he said, according to Naples Daily News. "I thought we were going to die.
"And the pressure inside the house changed," he added. "There was this terrible pressure. You knew something was totally wrong."
He concluded by saying though the tornado only lasted a few minutes, it felt like hours had passed.
With the tornado over, the area is now focusing on repairs. Initial damage estimates stand at $5.5 million, and Scott said the state would do everything in it's power to help the town get back on its feet.
In the meantime, residents are urged to be wary of scammers and unlicensed contractors who might try to charge extra for repairs or do a shoddy job. Residents can check the government website for approved contractors.
No fatalities were reported.
