Possible Tornado Causes Damage In Shelly Bay

[Updated] As reported earlier [Apr.6], the Bermuda Weather Service forecast possible tornado activity in Bermuda today. One unlucky household on Church Crescent in Shelly Bay was hit by what is believed to possibly be a tornado.

The Bermuda Weather Service said, “A severe weather warning has been issued for a line of rain with thunderstorms and strong to gale force winds with gusts to storm force. Within these thunderstorms is the threat for hail, squalls and isolated tornadoes. Showers and thunder will ease this afternoon as a cold front pushes to the east. High pressure will move through from the west tomorrow bringing fine weather and light winds.”

Area residents we spoke to report seeing debris flying across the road. Toys and broken branches could be seen strewn on the sidewalk along North Shore Road. Workmen were busy securing tarpaulins on the damaged areas when we arrived. Temporary orange border fencing was layed down on a neighbouring property and the top of a tree had broken off.

Below is a screen shot of the Bermuda Weather Service Radar from approximately 11:03am.

Update: Photos showing damage at Shelly Hall. We ran into area MP Wayne Furbert who was in the area checking on his constituents.

Update #2: As of right now, the Weather Service is out investigating and compiling information to give an accurate statement which we expect later. For now they said until the investigation is complete they cannot confirm if this was a tornado or a straight line gust event in association with the Thunderstorms in the cold frontal passage this morning.

Update #3: Statement from Dr Mark Guishard here. Dr Guishard, Director of the Bermuda Weather Service, said that after a “quick preliminary damage assessment” the results are still “inconclusive as to whether or not it was a bonafide tornado, or a severe straight-line winds event”

#Weather

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