Tornado confirmed in Vermont

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May 10, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Sun May 10, 2009, 07:18 PM EDT

WASHINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A tornado touched down in central Vermont Saturday afternoon, ripping the roof off an apartment building, according to National Weather Service investigators.

The storm tore a half-mile path through Washington, Vt., tearing the roof off the two-story building, knocking over a metal barn and snapping trees. There were no reports of injuries. The building’s owner told the Rutland Herald that all but one family had found temporary housing with family or friends by Saturday night.

According to Weather Services investigators, multiple eyewitnesses observed the tornado. Their descriptions and observations of the debris pattern support the conclusion that a tornado touched down.

The Weather Service estimated winds ranged from 90 to 100 miles an hour.

Tornadoes are relatively rare in Vermont. On average 1 tornado is reported every two years. A tornado in May is an even rarer event. According to the Weather Service, a quick search of tornado records for the state reveals that this is the 2nd earliest confirmed tornado there since 1950.