DELAWARE (4/15/2019) A tornado that struck in Sussex County early today reached a top speed of 120 mph, the National Weather Service said this afternoon.
The twister injured one person when a tree fell on a house. A barn was destroyed.
The weather service said the tornado was classified as an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The tornado began about 3:38 a.m. around Woodland Ferry Road near Laurel and continued northeast for 6.2 miles, toward Pepper Road.
Many trees were uprooted by the twister and many were snapped.
The path had a maximum width of 50 yards.
Thousands of people were left without electric service early today after strong thunderstorms moved across the state, toppling trees and utility poles.
Several road closures due to downed wires were reported by the Delaware Department of Transportation.
WBOC-TV reported a house collapsed in the Laurel area.
The Delaware Electric Cooperative posted a photo on Facebook of a home with part of the roof torn off along Route 20 and Baker Mill Road near Seaford.
“Crews are working to replace 4 broken poles in the Laurel area, based on the damage we think a tornado may have snapped them,” the Co-op said.
Tornado warnings were issued overnight by the National Weather Service.
More than an inch of rain in an hour fell in some parts of the state.
Wind gusts over 50 mph were recorded in Sussex and New Castle counties. More gusty wind is expected later today.
At 5:30 a.m., the Delaware Electric Cooperative reported more than 3,000 members were without electric service in Kent and Sussex counties. By 7 a.m., the Co-op had restored power to 2400 members.
Delmarva Power reported more than 4,400 customers in Delaware were without service, and another 6,700 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
DelDOT reported U.S. 13 was closed in both directions between Camp and Boyce roads, between Seaford and Laurel, due to downed wires. Numerous other roads were closed in the Laurel area.
In Port Penn, a downed utility pole and tree closed the intersection of West Market Street and Port Penn Delaware City Road.
Laurel School District issued the following: “Due to the tornadic activity that swept through our area, we have many roads that are currently closed, some severe damage, and many homes currently without electricity. For these reasons, the Laurel School District will be operating on a two hour delay this morning. There will be no morning Pre-K and no breakfast served. Doors will open at LMHS at 9:50 a.m., and doors will open at NLELA and LES at 10:50 a.m.”
Seaford School District also will open schools two-hours late this morning. Breakfast will not be served. There will be no half day AM pre-kindergarten but full-day pre-k is to report two-hours late.
Sussex Tech announced shortly after 9 a.m.: “Due to electrical issues from last night’s storms, Sussex Technical High School will be dismissing at 11 a.m. this morning. All after-school activities will be canceled and rescheduled. Our phone service will be taken offline momentarily for an indefinite period of time.”