Tornado touches down on Elko Road

The National Weather Service reported Monday afternoon that a tornado occurred on the morning of April 19, 2020 in Houston County on Elko Road.

The tornado was classified as a rare anti-cyclonic tornado, which according to the National Weather Service, meant that its rotation was clockwise. It was rated an EF-0 on the enhanced Fujita scale, had winds of 80 miles per hour, and was on the ground for one-quarter mile and was 50 yards wide.

In summary, the National Weather Service reported, “A very short-lived, weak tornado embedded within a small line of severe thunderstorms, touched down along Elko Road, just south of State Route 26 in southern Houston County. From what could be seen along the road, scattered trees were either snapped or uprooted in a narrow path about ¼ mile long mainly on the east side of the road. The trees were mostly falling to the south, indicating (and supported by radar) that the brief spin-up tornado was actually anti-cyclonic.”

The National Weather Service also said the information reported Monday was preliminary and was subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in storm data.

Houston County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director, Christopher Stoner, said a few trees were reported down within the county, but no major damage. Stoner also said the county had seven inches of rain total from Sunday morning through Monday morning.

“We were truly blessed yesterday to not see a more severe event and grateful that the tornado we did experience was short lived and in an area where the only damage was to a wooded section of roadway,” Stoner said.

HHJ News