National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Back-to-Back Pacific Storms to Impact the West Coast; Heavy Snow in the Central Appalachians

Back-to-back powerful Pacific storm systems to impact the Pacific Northwest and northern California through the end of this week with heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow. A strong, long-duration atmospheric river will accompany the Pacific storms, bringing excessive rainfall and flash flooding to southwest Oregon and northwest California through the week. Read More >

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
509 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 /409 PM MDT Tue Sep 10 2019/

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 09/09/19 TORNADO EVENT...

.TORNADO #1...

Rating:                 EF-0
Estimated peak wind:    80 mph
Path length /Statute/:  2.0 miles
Path width /Maximum/:   40 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start date:             September 9 2019
Start time:             3:40 PM CDT
Start location:         1 E Thomas/Hamlin County/SD
Start Lat/Lon:          44.7597/-97.1929

End date:               September 9 2019
End time:               3:45 PM CDT
End location:           2 NE Thomas/Hamlin County/SD
End_lat/lon:            44.7803/-97.1648

The tornado started in a bean field just south of SD Highway 22 around a mile east of
Thomas, SD. Witnesses saw it cross Highway 22, then damage trees and outdoor lawn items
as it passed close to a house. The tornado then moved northeast across Clear Lake and
crossed County Highway H. The tornado crossed a corn field before damaging several metal
beams on a quonset barn. Several outbuildings and a silo were damaged on the farm before
the tornado moved and snapped several branches and uprooted a few trees along a shelterbelt.

.TORNADO #2...

Rating:                 EF-0
Estimated peak wind:    73 mph
Path length /Statute/:  0.1 miles
Path width /Maximum/:   10 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start date:             September 9 2019
Start time:             6:55 PM CDT
Start location:         3 N Webster/Day County/SD
Start Lat/Lon:          45.3805/-97.5119

End date:               September 9 2019
End time:               6:56 PM CDT
End location:           3 N Webster/Day County/SD
End_lat/lon:            45.3812/-97.5101

A witness observed a tornado touch down over a lake and then track on to pasture land
before quickly lifting. The tornado remained on the ground for about one minute. No
damage occurred.

.TORNADO #3...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated peak wind:    90 mph
Path length /Statute/:  1.4 miles
Path width /Maximum/:   80 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start date:             September 9 2019
Start time:             8:03 PM CDT
Start location:         4 N Bristol/Day County/SD
Start Lat/Lon:          45.7353/-97.7353

End date:               September 9 2019
End time:               8:11 PM CDT
End location:           4 N Bristol/Day County/SD
End_lat/lon:            45.4087/-97.7075

The tornado touched down in a field west of 424th Ave, crossed the road and tracked along
the northern edge of a farmstead 4 miles north of Bristol, SD. Multiple broken tree branches
were noted, with some tossed 50 to 80 yards from the original source. One fiberglass shed was
destroyed and tossed about 70 yards. Another outbuilding was lifted off the foundation and
set down about 30 yards away. The tornado continued east of the farmstead, crossing two
small lakes. The track was clearly shown by cattails flattened in a convergent pattern. The
tornado then struck another tree with limbs broken and tossed. The final evidence of the
tornado was a downed deer stand.

.TORNADO #4...

Rating:                 EF-0
Estimated peak wind:    73 mph
Path length /Statute/:  0.1 miles
Path width /Maximum/:   10 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start date:             September 9 2019
Start time:             8:14 PM CDT
Start location:         7 NNE Bristol/Day County/SD
Start Lat/Lon:          45.4271/-97.6827

End date:               September 9 2019
End time:               8:15 PM CDT
End location:           7 NNE Bristol/Day County/SD
End_lat/lon:            45.4281/-97.6815

A short tornado track was observed in an area where cattails were flattened in a convergent
pattern. Witnesses also observed the brief touchdown.

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

NOTE:
The information in this statement is PRELIMINARY and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$