CONSTABLEVILLE, N.Y. – The National Weather Service has confirmed a small tornado near Constableville in Lewis County.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo investigated reports of damage in Lewis County and were able to confirm that, on August 16, around 6:34 p.m., a tornado with wind speeds of 60 mph with a 100 square-yard path passed near Constableville. This wind speeds classify it as an EF0 on the Fujita scale.
Officials say this information is preliminary and subject to change.
A small section of a cornfield on Highmarket Road was flattened by this weak tornado. The small rope tornado was caught on video. According to the Storm Prediction Center, “Tornadoes often assume a ropy, sinuous shape in their final minutes; but they can remain narrow like this during their entire life cycles. Although “rope” tornadoes may look weaker than much larger ones, some get more intense as they narrow and tighten (the ice skater effect). With tornadoes, size does not necessarily indicate strength!”
Many pictures and videos on social media or a larger, well-developed funnel cloud moving across southeast Oswego and southern Lewis counties. The ground survey conducted Wednesday uncovered no evidence that touchdown of that funnel occured. It is a heavily wooded area, however, and damage may have happened that has not been located yet. The damage may not be visible from public roadways or at ground level.
No fatalities or injuries were reported.
WKTV Aug. 18, 2016
Photo by Shane Muckey via Facebook
