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severe weather, such as large hail and tornadoes (NOAA, <br />NWS, 2003). Downbursts also are occasionally associated <br />with severe thunderstorms. A downburst is a strong downdraft <br />resulting in an outward burst of damaging winds on or near the <br />ground. Downburst winds can produce damage similar to a <br />strong tornado. Although usually associated with <br />thunderstorms, downbursts can occur with showers too weak <br />to produce thunder (NOAA, NWS, 2003). Strong squall lines <br />also can produce widespread severe weather, primarily very <br />strong winds and/or microbursts. <br />When a severe thunderstorm approaches, the NWS will issue <br />an advisory. According to NOAA, NWS (1994) two possible <br />advisories are as follows: <br />• Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Conditions are favorable for <br />the development of severe thunderstorms. <br />• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe weather is <br />imminent or occurring in the area. <br />Historic Events. According to the NCDC, there have been a <br />total of 64 thunderstorm events in Indian River County since <br />1953, causing a total of $1.376 million in property damage. On <br />13 March 1993, a downburst in Vero Beach damaged eight <br />homes and three commercial buildings. On 5 April 1995, a <br />thunderstorm damaged several homes in the Windsor <br />Subdivision in Wabasso. On 26 June 1995, a thunderstorm <br />knocked down stadium lighting at Dodgertown in Vero Beach <br />(now known as the Jackie Robinson Training Complex). In <br />Sebastian, storms in May 1996 and August 2002 damaged a <br />20 -passenger airplane and 3 moored vessels, respectively. In <br />January of 1999, a thunderstorm in Vero Beach caused $5,000 <br />worth of damage to doors at the Vero Beach Regional Airport. <br />In the past 5 years, the City of Vero Beach has recorded four <br />severe thunderstorm events; and the Town of Indian River <br />Shores has recorded three severe thunderstorm events, one of <br />which reported moderate property damage (these were reports <br />to NCDC through 08/31/19). <br />NCDC has recorded 62 incidents of hail in Indian River <br />County. The average accumulation for these events being <br />1.27 inches. The City of Vero Beach has recorded <br />three incidents of hail since 2015, and Town of Fellsmere, <br />one (these were reports to NCDC through 4/15/18). <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 32 <br />