EF0 tornado touches down in Bristol Township

On Wednesday evening, May 30, 2018, at approximately 7:54 p.m., the Fillmore County Emergency Dispatch received a report of a small tornado on the ground in Bristol Township, Section 31, in the 22000 block of County Road 30. This area would be about five miles southeast of Greenleafton and is an abandoned residence. It was reported that a small building was damaged. The National Weather Service was contacted and indicated no activity in that area. A Fillmore County Deputy responded to the area and found that a 75 x 25-foot shed had sustained heavy damage, with the roof lifted off. Debris was found to have been spread up to a ½ mile from the scene. Roof tin was found in a tree top and shed poles had been pulled from out of the ground. No other structures on the building site were damaged. There were sheep and cattle on the site, but none were injured. There were no other trees, crops, or farm sites in the area that sustained any damage. A neighbor obtained a brief video after hearing a louder humming noise. She also indicated she observed a piece of tin floating in the air that landed in the roadway, as well as leaves and corn stocked moving in the air. The video showed a “dust devil” type rotation traveling in a northeast direction. There was also a small storm in the area. The National Weather Service was again consulted and after viewing the video and photos indicated this may be considered an EF0 tornado or wind event. An EF0 rating is classified as “weak” with speeds of 60-85 mph. The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind our citizens that during weather watches and warnings to take precautions to help insure their personal safety. Weather Safety Tips can be found on the National Weather Service (NOAA) site at www.crh.noaa.gov/lmage/mka/pdf/handouts/weather-safety-tips.pdf.