NWS confirms two tornadoes in Friday storms

TIPPECANOE, Ind. (WLFI) –  The National Weather Service has confirmed two EF-1 tornadoes ripped through Tippecanoe County during Friday’s storms.

According to 24-Hour News 8 sister station, WLFI, Tippecanoe County Emergency Management and NWS Meteorologist Dan McCarthy spent Saturday morning accessing the damage caused by the storm. He said although the tornadoes’ paths were not very long, they produced wind speeds up to 100 mph.

“When a thunderstorm begins to put out its down drafts, the down drafts are so strong that when they intersect they do little spins,” said McCarthy. “Those little spins will be on the ground for the length of maybe three football fields to four football fields at the most, but can create a lot of damage.”

McCarthy says the tornadoes tore through southeastern portions of Tippecanoe County, and uprooted trees and damaged power lines. He said several homes experienced minor damage, but two garages were heavily affected by the storm.

Tippecanoe County EMA director Smokey Anderson said areas along Newcastle Road and in the Meadow Ridge Subdivision were some of the hardest hit areas, but he said there were no major injuries.

However, Anderson said crews are still working to clean up debris and advises drivers to be cautious if they are driving through areas with storm damage.