National Weather Service Raw Text Product

673 
NOUS41 KBOX 182136
PNSBOX
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-RIZ001>008-191500-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
536 PM EDT Wed Jul 18 2018

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 7/17/18 TORNADO IN 
EASTERN CONNECTICUT...

Start Location...Ashford in Windham County, CT
End Location...Ashford in Windham County, CT
Date...July 17 2018
Estimated Time...400 pm EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...85 mph
Maximum Path Width...225 yards
Path Length...0.4 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...41.8985/-72.1343
Ending Lat/Lon...41.9004/-72.1267
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
A National Weather Service team investigated damage in Windham 
County, CT from the storms that occurred late Tuesday afternoon 
(July 17). We concluded that a small tornado did occur in the 
eastern part of the town of Ashford, CT, near the Eastford line.
Wind speeds were estimated at 80 to 85 mph, near the upper end 
of the EF0 category of the Enhanced Fujita scale. The tornado
was only on the ground for 1 minute. It had a width of 225 yards
and a length of 0.4 miles.

Damage was mainly confined to a narrow area bounded by North Road
to the west and Ashford Lake to the east... and by Birchwood
Drive to the north and Westview Drive to the south. 

In that area, numerous large trees were uprooted and many large
branches fell. Of significance was a subtle, yet distinct 
convergence pattern of the fallen trees. On Birchwood Drive,
trees fell toward the east-southeast, while on Westview Drive,
trees fell more toward the east and east-northeast. We spoke with
a woman who lives right on the lakeshore and she observed the
water in the lake to be sucked up 50 to 60 feet into the air.
Straight line winds would not cause that to happen. Many people 
reported a very loud roaring sound and that it lasted less than 
20 seconds. Most homes were spared damage, although we noted one 
home on Birchwood Drive which had shingles that appear to have 
been shoved upward on one side of the roof. There were no 
injuries during this event.

The National Weather Service in Norton, MA issued a Severe 
Thunderstorm Warning for the Ashford area at 333 PM. It was 
upgraded to a Tornado Warning at 359 PM.

The survey team also assessed isolated damage in the towns of
Putnam and Pomfret, also in Windham County. Our conclusion was
that the damage at those locations, which included a few downed
trees, tree limbs, and minor roof damage, was much weaker and 
unrelated to the Ashford tornado.

The National Weather Service would like to thank the amateur 
radio Skywarn spotters for their quick and accurate reporting
of damage on the exact streets in question and for providing
contact information for the eyewitness account of the lake water
rising. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Connecticut
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection's Division
of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, local emergency
managers, and to the local television media. 

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$
Field/Dellicarpini