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F1 tornado in Tioga County, New York

Tornado May 31, 2002 · Tioga County, New York

F1
Rating
6.0 mi
Path length
1,000 yd
Path width
7
Injuries
$600K
Damage as recorded
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated

The path drawn at its surveyed width of 1,000 yards (0.57 mi) — zoom in and the swath grows to true scale. Other tornadoes recorded nearby that day are shown faint.

What F1 means. This tornado was rated on Fujita’s original scale, used until 2007. F1 meant moderate damage: roofs badly stripped, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, windows broken; the scale paired it with winds of 73–112 mph, figures later judged too high, especially toward the top of the scale, and revised downward in the Enhanced Fujita scale. Ratings then, as now, came from the damage.

What the National Weather Service wrote

The tornado first touched down about a mile and a half northeast of the village of Owego, along Carmichael Road. As the tornado passed over a ridge toward Beecher Hill Road, the most extensive damage occurred. Along with major tree damage, two mobile homes were completely destroyed and a house suffered significant damage. Five people were injured in one of the mobile homes, suffering many cuts and bruises. Two elderly occupants of the other home also suffered minor injuries. A piece of lumber went through the side of a home across the street. The damage at this location was consistent with high end F1 tornado, with wind speeds estimated close to 110 mph. The tornado continued east and crossed Lisle Road. As the tornado came over another ridge toward Lisle Road, a gentleman in his barn witnessed the tornado with swirling debris coming over the ridge. He was able to take shelter before many of the windows were blown out of his barn. Significant tree damage could be seen, especially at the top of the ridge. The tornado continued east, crossing Gaskill Road. One property saw significant damage, with one barn destroyed and a shed from the property was torn apart. Debris was blown as far as a quarter mile away. Many large trees were uprooted with others twisted and broken off. Significant tree damage was also seen at the top of the ridge west of the property with many trees broken or twisted off at mid-trunk. Pieces of siding from a home were also found in this area. At this point, it appears the tornado lifted briefly before touching down for the final time in the area where Ford Road, Foster Road, and Whittemore Hill Road meet. The damage here consisted of another mobile home that was completely destroyed and significant tree damage. There was also a significant amount of tree damage along the entire path of the tornado, with many trees uprooted and twisted off in different directions. 30 to 50 homes suffered minor damage in addition to 2 homes that saw more significant damage and the 3 mobile homes that were destroyed. Many barns were also damaged and numerous sheds were destroyed.

Began near Owego (42.1333, -76.2667).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 5299427. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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