William Cutlip, Mary Vilamantez Obituary, Death – Community Mourns the Loss of Six Lives in Fort Pierce Tornado
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has identified the six victims who lost their lives in the devastating EF3 tornado that ripped through the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village and surrounding areas in northern Fort Pierce. The victims include William Cutlip, 82, Mary Vilamantez, 70, Alejandro Alonso, 66, Roger Ammon, 85, Sandra McDonald, 84, and Deborah Kennedy, 66.
The tornado, which struck on Wednesday, Oct. 9, claimed the lives of three men and three women, leaving the community in shock and grief. Sheriff Keith Pearson expressed his deepest sorrow for the loss of life and offered condolences to the families and friends of those affected.
The tornado that tore through the Spanish Lakes community led to extensive search-and-rescue operations in the aftermath. First responders, sheriff’s deputies, and local officials worked tirelessly for several days, attempting to reach and assist individuals injured in the storm’s wake.
The tornado was spawned by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Wednesday night near Siesta Key on Florida’s Gulf Coast. With winds reaching 120 mph, the hurricane triggered a series of dangerous tornadoes across several counties, including Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River.
The tornado that struck Spanish Lakes was especially strong and long-lasting. It began south of Midway Road, less than a mile east of 11 Mile Road, near the Interstate 95 interchange. Preliminary reports suggest the tornado stayed on the ground for at least 21 miles, producing widespread EF1 to EF2 damage and even periodic EF3 destruction.
When the tornado first hit the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, it was rated as an EF2. Many mobile and manufactured homes along the western edge of the community were completely destroyed, with winds reaching between 125 mph and 135 mph. The tornado flipped more than 20 homes from their foundations, according to an initial survey.
In addition to the devastation in Spanish Lakes, the tornado damaged properties in the Creekside subdivision on Okeechobee Road. The nearby Sunnier Palms Nudist Park and Campground also experienced severe damage, with many homes being heavily damaged or destroyed.
The investigation and recovery efforts are ongoing as the community grapples with the tragic aftermath of the tornado and the extensive damage left behind.
The loss of life and destruction caused by the tornado have left the community heartbroken. The victims’ families and friends are devastated, and the community is coming together to support them in their time of need.
As the community mourns the loss of William Cutlip, Mary Vilamantez, and the other four victims, they are also working to rebuild and recover from the devastating effects of the tornado. The road to recovery will be long and difficult, but the community is determined to come back stronger than ever.
