DELMARVA - The National Weather Service has confirmed that storm damage south of Bethel, Delaware, was caused by a tornado that tracked across eastern Maryland and into Sussex County on Friday, May 16.Officials said a full summary of the tornado, including estimated wind speeds and path details, was released Sunday, May 18, following on-site assessments conducted over the weekend.According to the ...
DELMARVA - The National Weather Service has confirmed that storm damage south of Bethel, Delaware, was caused by a tornado that tracked across eastern Maryland and into Sussex County on Friday, May 16.
Officials said a full summary of the tornado, including estimated wind speeds and path details, was released Sunday, May 18, following on-site assessments conducted over the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, an EF-1 tornado touched down just south-southeast of Rhodesdale in Dorchester County, Maryland, around 6:52 p.m. It traveled 11.4 miles before lifting near Bethel, Delaware, at approximately 7:06 p.m. Peak winds were estimated between 100 and 110 mph. The tornado had a maximum width of 600 yards, though circulations were described as discontinuous.
The storm caused significant tree damage along Rhodesdale-Vienna Road in Maryland, snapping trunks and uprooting numerous trees in a convergent pattern. Additional damage was observed along Eldorado-Sharptown Road, and near Galestown, a farm building was lifted off its foundation and pushed several yards to the east-northeast. Galestown saw the most concentrated damage and the widest part of the tornado’s path, with radar data suggesting multiple circulations.
Crossing the Nanticoke River into Delaware, the tornado continued causing tree damage in Phillips Landing Park, in the Cherry Walk Woods neighborhood, and along Shell Bridge Road. A tree was snapped near the intersection with Phillips Landing Road, and more damage was reported south-southwest of Bethel. The tornado dissipated in this area, though straight-line winds from the storm's rear flank continued eastward.
These winds were responsible for ripping parts or all of the roofs off two commercial buildings near Route 13 in Laurel and causing additional tree damage south of Chipman Pond.
On Saturday, May 17, Sussex County Emergency Management and the Laurel Fire Department conducted a joint damage survey with the National Weather Service to evaluate the destruction. Most of the confirmed tornado and wind damage was concentrated along a line from Phillips Landing to just east of Laurel.
A separate damage survey was also completed in neighboring Dorchester County, Maryland, as part of the same storm system.
The National Weather Service extended thanks to the Eldorado-Brookview Volunteer Fire Company, the Laurel Fire Department, and Sussex County Emergency Management for their assistance in conducting the surveys.