Likely tornadoes under investigation as storms scatter damage in Massachusetts, Rhode Island
BOSTON - The National Weather Service is looking into how much of Friday's storm damage in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island was caused by tornadoes.
The agency said a survey team confirmed Friday afternoon that at least one twister touched down in Mansfield, Weymouth and North Attleboro.
Where was the tornado warning in effect in Massachusetts and Rhode Island?
Two tornado warnings were sent out in the morning as storms rolled through during the rush hour commute.
The first was issued by the National Weather Service just after 8:30 a.m. and expired at 9:15 a.m. That area covered parts of southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
According to WBZ-TV meteorologist Jacob Wycoff, the first signs of the tornado debris signature on radar were seen in Scituate, Rhode Island around 8:40 a.m. It then headed northeast towards Attleboro.
A likely tornado in Johnston, Rhode Island lifted a car off Route 295 Friday morning, a fire official said.
Johnston RI #riwx from around 845 AM - Friday 8/18/23 https://t.co/pBrI4ziLdQ
— NWS Boston/Norton Skywarn (@WX1BOX) August 18, 2023
A second tornado warning was issued for parts of Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties a short time later. That warning ended around 10:05 a.m.
Confirming where a tornado touched down in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
The National Weather Service is inspecting storm damage between Mansfield and Scituate, Rhode Island to determine what was caused by a tornado or straight line winds.
I spoke to one Johnston cemetery worker who said he rode out the tornado in a truck and could feel it inside the cab. He said one large tree was picked up and tossed across the cemetery leaving an empty hole behind. Some graves have also been uprooted. RI #Tornado pic.twitter.com/msJ1SNMsW4
— Rory Schuler (@RorySchuler) August 18, 2023
If you're wondering why tornado warnings are more frequent these days, it's because the National Weather Service radars can see the atmosphere better at multiple levels now than ever before.
During any severe weather, you can track the storms on our interactive weather radar to see where the systems are heading.
How to stay safe during a tornado warning
During a tornado warning, there are several steps you can take to stay safe indoors and outside. Go to the lowest level of the building you are in and stay away from doors and windows. The bottom line is to always seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building.