It was December 14, 2013 and the Palm Coast Starlight Event and Parade was the place to be. Activities started at 2 PM and kids were having fun. A 70-foot Snow Slide (everyone’s favorite), face painting, sand art, photos, food trucks, and lots of other activities were going on. Of course, Santa showed up and even the Grinch was behaving himself. At 6 PM the Starlight parade was underway with colorful lighted floats, talented marching bands and even a Starlight half marathon and 5K. Best of all was the grand marshal, our very own city historian Art Dycke with his wife Louise.
It was fun times until 6:40 PM when a man in a red suit and white beard, aka, Palm Coast fire chief, Mike Beadle, sent everyone home and quickly! At 7:04 p.m. someone spotted a twister. Quick thinking and decision-making saved lives. The event exemplified a coordinated effort between all the responder agencies in the City and County and illustrated how a community comes together to help those in need.
With winds up to 105 mph, seven homes were destroyed, and another 164 damaged by the storm. The EF1 tornado touched down in the “B” section before moving offshore.
Neighbors from far and wide stepped up to help. Mayor Netts declared the city in a state of local emergency and city agencies moved into action. As we’ve recently learned, mother nature is unpredictable. However, history shows us that people step up to the challenge. We should all feel better for good neighbors and knowing that our first responders are up to the task and now, as they did then, they will take care of us all. Happy Holidays from the Palm Coast Historical Society!
Editor’s note: All photographs are courtesy of the Palm Coast Historical Society.
