EF1 Tornado — Washington, Indiana

2022-03-18 · near Becks Mill, Washington, Indiana

Event narrative

The tornado was observed touching down by two eyewitnesses near West Wilson Lane and Dog Trot Road at 8:06 PM EDT. Multiple hardwood trees were uprooted and a house suffered significant roof damage on West Wilson Lane. A barn suffered significant roof damage and two other outbuildings had minor damage. On the same property, a carport was lifted and thrown several hundred feet downstream. Debris from this property was also found on a farm approximately half a mile to the east.

The most intense damage occurred near the intersection of Mill Creek Road and Fort Hill Road. A well-constructed brick home had only minor damage to siding, shingles, and porch columns, but multiple trees were uprooted both northwest and northeast of the house. Just down the hill to the northeast, dozens of trees were uprooted or snapped, all laying nearly due north at an angle to the tornado`s northeastward motion. Maximum wind speeds at this point were estimated at 105 mph (EF-1), and the maximum path width at 200 yards.

The tornado continued northeast across open fields and then uprooted or snapped several trees, and caused minor shingle damage to two homes along Woodland Drive in the Naugle Addition subdivision. Two large hardwood trees were uprooted and other large branches were downed as the tornado continued northeast across Orchard Road.

As the tornado moved into the city of Salem a large tree was uprooted and another tree lost a large branch at Crown Hill Cemetery. The tornado continued into the Public Square, where it caused roof and exterior damage to two businesses located to the northwest of the Court House. The tornado lifted at 8:14 PM EDT just to the north of the square.

No fatalities or injuries were reported as a result of the tornado. All the residents our survey team spoke with had received the Tornado Warnings via some combination of Wireless Emergency Alerts, local TV broadcasts, or NOAA Weather Radio, and quickly sought shelter. Most of them took shelter in basements. Of those without a basement, one family took shelter in an interior bathroom, while another resident sought shelter with a neighbor whose house has a basement.

Wider weather episode

A cold front associated with a larger low pressure system move east through the Lower Ohio Valley on the evening of the 18th. This caused thunderstorms to move over southern Indiana and north central Kentucky, resulting in multiple reports of severe wind damage and five tornadoes across the area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.5560, -86.1780)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1015567. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.