On Tuesday, April 14 the National Weather Service surveyed damage from the Monday morning storms that swept through Washington County.
After assessing the damage, it was determined that there were two tornadoes – one around Riddleville, and a second around Hamburg State Park Road. Both tornadoes were classified as EF-1.
The National Weather Service explains that the Enhanced Fujita Scale or EF Scale, which became operational on February 1, 2007, is used to assign a tornado a ‘rating’ based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. When tornado-related damage is surveyed, it is compared to a list of Damage Indicators (DIs) and Degrees of Damage (DoD) which help better estimate the range of wind speeds the tornado likely produced. From that, a rating (from EF-0 to EF-5) is assigned.
An EF-1 rated tornado has winds measuring 86 miles per hour to 110 miles per hour.
According to Washington County Emergency Management Agency Director Russell Riner,the tornado in the Riddleville area had winds estimated at 100 mph, while the tornado along Hamburg State Park Road had winds estimated at 105 mph.
In an interview with WACO 100, EMA Director Riner explained that he and Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran assessed the storm damage prior to the National Weather Service’s arrival – this initial assessment found that two homes in Washington County were destroyed by the storms. Six other structures sustained damage; Riner emphasized that others could be reported later.
Riner also reported that numerous trees were uprooted or twisted at the tops, and power lines were down, as well.
Photo Credit: Washington County Sheriff’s Office
