A Tornado Hits Marion County

We live about 30 miles from Aumsville, Oregon, where the tornado touched down. As I was leaving the house, I saw that the sky was very, very dark and it looked like a bad storm was headed to the east. I never would have guessed that a tornado was brewing somewhere within those black clouds.

Aumsville, Oregon

This report is from the wunderground.com on Tuesday, December 14, 2010.
 

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by NWS storm survey.


            *** 2 inj *** Enhanced Fujita scale rating of EF2 with
            estimated wind speeds 110 to 120 mph. Two injuries, fifty
            structures damaged, thirty or more large trees blown down
            or snapped off, five sheds damaged, two semi trailers
            tipped. Preliminarly estimated length of 5 miles and
            width of 150 yards. It appears the tornado was not on the
            ground continuously but lifted up and touched back down.



12/14/2010 1144 am

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by NWS storm survey.


            *** 2 inj *** Enhanced Fujita scale rating of EF2 with
            estimated wind speeds 110 to 120 mph. Two injuries,
            twenty five structures damaged, thirty or more large
            trees blown down or snapped off, five sheds damaged, two
            semi trailers tipped. Preliminarly estimated length of 1
            mile and width of 150 yards.



12/14/2010 1144 am

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by Fire Dept/Rescue.


            East and west bound lanes covered with debris near town
            of Shaw. Many auto accidents between mile posts 42 and 45
            due to hail on roads.



12/14/2010 1144 am

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by broadcast media.


            Damage to many homes and businesses in Aumsville.
            Overturned semi trailer. Uprooted trees. Also... many
            reports of flying debris hitting autos and other
            structures... such as two by four lumber stud blown into a
            truck.



12/14/2010 1144 am

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by Fire Dept/Rescue.


            Emergency personnel observed tornado. Numerous trees
            down. Reports of people trapped in autos due to numbeous
            downed power lines.



12/14/2010 1145 am

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by Fire Dept/Rescue.


            East and west bound lanes covered with debris near town
            of Shaw. Many auto accidents between mile posts 42 and 45
            due to hail on roads.




12/14/2010 1159 am

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by Fire Dept/Rescue.


            Emergency personnel observed tornado. Numerous trees
            down. Reports of people trapped in autos due to numberous
            downed power lines.



12/14/2010 1159 am

Aumsville, Marion County.

Tornado, reported by Fire Dept/Rescue.


            Emergency personnel observed tornado. Numerous trees
            down. Reports of people trapped.


What a Tuesday! Some of these early reports were found to be not as bad as expected. We are all very thankful that no one was seriously hurt. We had two family members that both happened to be headed in that direction for work, but were called with the news about the dangerous weather system, certainly not expecting there would be a tornado, and they changed their routes. 

Here are some pictures of what the tornado left behind. 

Now we need to find a way to help those that suffered losses yesterday, so that they can still have a Merry Christmas. The true spirit of Christmas is about giving, especially to the many families that have great needs right now.