In the early hours of Saturday morning, residents of rural Crawford County were jolted awake by a destructive force of nature.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has conducted a thorough damage survey to assess the impact of the tornado and its path of destruction. The twister, classified as an EF1 tornado with an estimated peak wind of 105 MPH, left a trail of devastation in its wake, uprooting trees, damaging homes, and causing significant disruption.
The Tornado Strikes
The tornado’s journey began at 4:58 AM EDT, approximately 2 miles west of North Robinson . It touched down near the intersection of Parcher Road and Route 30. A barn in the vicinity bore the brunt of the storm’s initial impact, sustaining significant damage. From there, the tornado forged a path east-southeast, leaving a visible trail of destruction along its 6.24-mile-long route.
Uprooted and Snapped: Trees in the Tornado’s Path
As the tornado continued, it uprooted and snapped numerous trees in its wake. The mighty force of nature spared no vegetation in its path, leaving a barren landscape in some areas. The NWS survey team reported that the tornado’s maximum path width was 100 yards, making it a formidable sight for anyone who witnessed its wrath.
The tornado’s fury extended to the residential areas it encountered. Multiple homes were not spared, with trees falling on them, resulting in varying degrees of damage. Among the properties affected, 12 homes sustained moderate damage, and tragically, one home was completely destroyed near Lake Galion.
NWS EF Scale: Understanding Tornado Intensity
The NWS classifies tornadoes based on their intensity using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. The EF1 classification for this tornado indicated it was a weak tornado with wind speeds between 86 and 110 MPH. Despite being on the lower end of the scale, its impact was still significant enough to cause substantial damage to property and vegetation in its path.
Conclusion
The NWS continues to analyze and finalize its damage survey findings, emphasizing the need for accurate data to better understand and prepare for future weather events.
