EF1 Tornado Confirmed On Cape Cod
YARMOUTH (CBS) -- A line of severe storms produced a tornado on Cape Cod and left tens of thousands of people without power on Tuesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service says the tornado touched down in Yarmouth and then touched down again in Harwich. The maximum wind speed for the tornado was 110 mph, which equates to a strong EF1 tornado.
A tornado warning for Barnstable County expired just after 12:30 p.m. as the powerful thunderstorms moved off Cape Cod.
PHOTOS: Cape Cod Storm Damage
"We are talking about extremely dangerous and destructive wind gusts," WBZ-TV meteorologist Sarah Wroblewski said.
The NWS says there were pockets of EF1 damage in both Yarmouth and Harwich, as well as straight line wind damage. The greatest amount of damage occurred in Harwich.
Yarmouth police said it appears the tornado went right down Route 28 in West Yarmouth. They said it was amazing that there have not been any reported injuries so far.
There were damage reports of trees and wires down on roads in the area, and a report of a 90 mph gust on Kalmus Beach. Pictures of the damage from Yarmouth showed just how powerful the wind was.
In West Yarmouth, winds ripped off part of the roof at the Cape Sands Inn.
The storms left more than 50,000 customers without power on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. The Chatham Police Department was telling residents to stay off the roads during the cleanup and Harwich police also asked people to "Please stay home!"
As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, more than 40,000 people were still without power.
"We have extensive damage from downed trees and wires," the department tweeted. "It is not safe to be out driving or walking around."
The Massachusetts Steamship Authority said all boats were held during the severe weather and released just before 12:30 p.m. The strong line of storms likely produced a waterspout south of Rhode Island, according to meteorologist and WBZ-TV executive weather producer Terry Eliasen.
Massachusetts State Police said it will send an extra 15 patrols and K9 teams to help with storm response, including well-being checks and traffic control.
The American Red Cross sent volunteers to Cape Cod to assess damage and whether more help is needed for residents.