GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, Wash. — What is believed to be an EF-1 tornado touched down in Grays Harbor County early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS said a tornado warning was issued at 4:40 a.m. after radar showed rotation capable of producing a tornado approximately 5 miles southwest of Neilton, Washington. A radar scan also pointed for the potential for debris to be thrown into the air.
The warning ended at 5 a.m.
A Quinault Indian Nation Fire official said that, around 5:20 a.m., he found 10 downed trees of 1 to 2.5 feet in diameter across Moclips Highway near mile marker 18.
More damage was found by a trained spotter about a half-mile to the northeast across a forest service road.
No injuries or other damage was reported.
The NWS said an evaluation of photos from local officials and the trained spotter, along with radar from the event, were consistent with a brief tornado.
Weather officials said the tornado most likely touched down at 4:40 a.m. and lasted less than two minutes, traveling a half-mile with a maximum width of 30 yards.
The degree of tree damage is consistent with peak winds of about 90 mph, rating it as an EF-1 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale, according to the weather service.
Cox Media Group
