EF-1 tornado confirmed to have touched down in Grays Harbor County
Oct 12, 2020, 9:05 AM | Updated: 11:11 am
Photos showing trees down in the road as seen by the QIN Assistant Fire Chief at MP 18 on Moclips Highway. (Photo courtesy of NWS Seattle/Twitter)
(Photo courtesy of NWS Seattle/Twitter)
The National Weather Service had been trying to determine if a tornado touched down in Grays Harbor County on Saturday.
At 10 a.m. Monday, NWS Seattle tweeted that after an evaluation of photographic evidence from local officials and a trained spotter, combined with radar signatures from the event, it was consistent with a brief tornado. The peak winds reached 90 miles per hour, rating it as an EF-1 tornado.
We sincerely thank Quinault Indian Nation and Grays Harbor County officials, as well as spotter Michael Snyder (@SeattleWXGuy) for providing information and images regarding the damage. Aerial images provided by Michael Snyder. #wawx pic.twitter.com/yVW4eDokot
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) October 12, 2020
Early morning radar between 4:38-4:43 a.m. indicated “rotation capable of producing a tornado” near the town of Neilton in Grays Harbor County, according to the NWS. A tornado warning was issued at 4:40 a.m., in effect until 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. A short time later, a Quinault Nation deputy reported 10 trees down on Moclips highway at approximately mile marker 18.
Subsequent reports and imagery from a trained spotter identified additional damage in the area. No injuries or other impacts were reported.
Based on the location and path length, NWS Seattle says the tornado most likely touched down at 4:40 a.m. and lasted for less than two minutes, traveling 0.50 miles with a maximum width of 30 yards.
At approximately 435-445 AM the morning of October 10th, radar indicated rotation capable of producing a tornado SW of Neilton in Grays Harbor County. Tree damage was reported on Moclips Highway which has since been cleared. #WAwx
Full Statement: pic.twitter.com/im3nl6etTF
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) October 11, 2020
Edmonds ferry struck by lightning Saturday, route down to one boat
The NWS was previously looking for anyone who may have captured evidence of the event so they would be able to confirm whether or not it was a tornado or simply strong winds.
The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.
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