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Tornado that touched down on Indy's northeast side amid violent day of storms was EF0

Tornado that touched down on Indy's northeast side amid violent day of storms was EF0
Posted at 4:55 PM, Aug 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-25 20:50:52-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- The tornado that touched down on Indy's northeast side Wednesday afternoon was rated by the National Weather Service as an EF0 tornado, the weakest on the fujita scale, but with a potential max wind speed of 86 miles per hour.

Typical observations of an EF0 tornado include light damage, with the surface of some roofs pulled off, some damage to gutters and siding, branches off trees and shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

Fortunately, no major reports of damage were recorded from this tornado.

The confirmation of this tornado made it the fifth touch down in central Indiana amid eight preliminary reports of tornadoes on the ground, including one report of an EF3 with wind speeds of 136 miles per hour in Kokomo.

READ MORE | EF3, EF2, two EF1 and an EF0 tornado all confirmed touched down in Indiana Wednesday

Indiana Homeland Security and IMPD spotted the tornado originally at 21st Street and Ritter Avenue around 4:15 p.m.

At 4:23 p.m, the National Weather Service confirmed a large and extremely dangerous tornado was located in Indianapolis, saying "This is a particularly dangerous situation, take cover now!"

Law enforcement also confirmed a sighting of the same tornado east-northeast of downtown Indianapolis on Interstate 70. The NWS confirmed the preliminary rating according to the tornado's path and damage indicators at 25th Street and LaSalle Avenue.

The tornado warning issued from the NWS for Indianapolis was one of urgency, despite the lowest rating on the enhanced Fujita Scale.

"You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed, considerable damage to homes... businesses.. and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible," said the NWS.

PHOTOS | Dangerous storms leave major damage

IMPD said it will continue to survey 21st Street and Ritter, 200 S. Shortridge Road and 7900 Washington Street but they have not found substantial damage yet.

IFD reported several calls due to downed power lines, alarms and reported lightning strikes including one working fire in the 3200 block of Pennsylvania.  They also had eight runs due to high water as flooding became the main problem across the city

 

MORE STORM COVERAGE | Starbucks destroyed, roofs off in Kokomo