MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — On Friday, July 31, the Madison County government acknowledged the confirmed tornado that hit on Tuesday, July 28, noting the county’s precautions and response efforts.On Thursday, July 30, the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg confirmed a tornado hit the Allegheny area from 5:51 p.m. to 5:53 p.m. on Tuesday.The NWS said it was an EF0 tornado that reached peak winds of 80 mph with a path length of 1.1 miles and a width of 75 yards.TORNADO HIT WESTERN NC DURI...
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — On Friday, July 31, the Madison County government acknowledged the confirmed tornado that hit on Tuesday, July 28, noting the county’s precautions and response efforts.
On Thursday, July 30, the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg confirmed a tornado hit the Allegheny area from 5:51 p.m. to 5:53 p.m. on Tuesday.
The NWS said it was an EF0 tornado that reached peak winds of 80 mph with a path length of 1.1 miles and a width of 75 yards.
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According to the Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, EF0 is the lowest category. The EF Scale is used to assign a rating for a tornado based on estimated wind speeds and related damage, per the NWS.
The damage NWS noted was numerous snapped and uprooted trees and broken limbs, with Madison County adding that there was minimal structural damage. The county acknowledged NWS’s determination that the damage overall was relatively minor.
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According to a county press release, before the tornado, Madison County Emergency Management Coordinator Patrick Ward posted weather updates online, contacted public safety agencies and started positioning “assets” out of precaution.
Ward said emergency crews, utility workers and volunteers responded to downed trees, blocked roads, power outages and other storm hazards while working to restore services and keep residents safe. The county also thanked all the agencies involved for their response efforts.
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“Throughout the event, lessons learned and best practices from Hurricane Helene guided the County’s whole of local government response. We continue to update our playbooks and refine procedures to provide safe and immediate emergency response measures,” Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt said in the press release.
Within 24 hours of the severe weather, primary and secondary roads and most utilities were restored, Honeycutt said. He added that the county will continue to coordinate with local, state and federal partners as damage assessments are finalized.
The NWS noted that its statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review.