Salem, Va. – The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has confirmed an EF-1 tornado hit Salem Sunday evening. Maximum wind speeds were estimated around 100 to 105 mph. It was on the ground roughly two miles and had a width of 300 yards.
The storm survey is ongoing. More detailed information will be released later Monday.
According to research done by the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, this might be the first tornado recorded in the City of Salem.
Data goes back to 1950.
Wondering why a tornado warning wasn’t issued for the tornado?
Meteorologist Chris Michaels explains why in this short video:
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg is surveying damage Monday morning from what they say was a “likely tornado” Sunday evening.
It happened in Salem on East Riverside Drive.
10 News has a crew following along with the National Weather Service as they gather information and data.
Here is a picture of the scene from 10 News Reporter, Keshia Lynn.
We will find out the storm rating (hopefully) at some point later in the day Monday.
Some of the damage is on Lee Highway, a little way up from Tacos Rojas.
What looks like sheets of metal flew and hit a building, but that building was vacant and there are no reports of injuries.
Sophia Graves works nearby and says she saw lighting strike near a utility pole and sparks fly.
“Our trailer for the Hawaiian shaved ice started shaking, the lights went out a couple of times. Something popped and all of our supplies that were on the top shelve fell on over. I had to put all the counters up so we wouldn’t get struck,” said Graves.
Also in Salem, downed trees blocked off entire roads and sections of neighborhoods.