...NWS Damage Survey for 07/29/21 Tornado in Laurel Hill State Park... The National Weather Service in collaboration with Somerset County Emergency Management confirms an EF-1 tornado occurred within Laurel Hill State Park from approximately 2:25 PM EDT through 2:28 PM EDT on Thursday, July 29, 2021. .Laurel Hill State Park Tornado... Rating: EF-1 Estimated Peak Wind: 102 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.2 miles Path Width /maximum/: 65 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: July 29, 2021 Start Time: 2:25 PM EDT Start Location: North of Laurel Hill Park Drive, Laurel Hill SP Start Lat/Lon: 40.0099/-79.2367 End Date: July 29, 2021 End Time: 2:28 PM EDT End Location: East of Laurel Hill Park Drive, Laurel Hill SP End Lat/Lon: 40.0079/-79.2338 A tornado developed within Laurel Hill State Park during the afternoon hours of Thursday, July 29, 2021. Somerset County Emergency Management conducted a thorough damage survey, consisting of photos from the ground along with photos and videos from a drone. The tornado began just north of Laurel Hill Park Drive and continued on a southeast track through a portion of the park containing several conservation buildings. Numerous trees were uprooted in various directions, while a few were also snapped, resulting in damage to some of the conservation buildings. Estimated maximum winds reached 102 mph as the tornado tracked through this portion of the park, before turning to the east and producing additional tree damage east of Laurel Hill Park Drive. Additionally, several videos of the tornado were sent in to the NWS from media partners and storm spotters. Farther west on Laurel Hill Park road, near the intersection with Buck Run Road, scattered unidirectional wind damage was found in association with the rear flank downdraft of the tornado. && 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. $$