A tornado touched down in Yates County on Thursday morning, damaging vineyards, trees and residential property along a path of just over a mile, the National Weather Service said.
Storm Clouds Loom Over San Antonio as Juneteenth Weekend Brings Threat of Rain and Thunderstorms
The tornado occurred around 10:55 a.m. June 18 and was rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale after a preliminary damage survey. Survey teams estimated peak winds at 90 mph.
The National Weather Service said the tornado reached a maximum width of about 150 yards and traveled about 1.2 miles before dissipating.
Damage documented by survey teams included uprooted and snapped trees, damaged grapevines and debris scattered across affected areas. One residence sustained damage after strong winds tore apart sections of outdoor structures and fencing.
North Texas Power Outage Thousands Left Without Power as Juneteenth Thunderstorms Hit the Region
An EF1 tornado is classified as having winds between 86 and 110 mph and is capable of causing moderate damage. Meteorologists assign the rating by reviewing damage indicators and estimating the wind speeds needed to produce them.
The survey remains preliminary and could be updated as additional assessment work is completed.
Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware and review severe weather safety plans as the region moves deeper into the summer storm season.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.