Concord Tornado Rips Through Power Lines, Leaves Over 1,000 Without Power

CONCORD, MA — Emergency crews are at work repairing the damage from an EF1 tornado that ripped through the Concord area early Sunday morning.

Preliminary data from the National Weather Service (NWS) indicates that an EF1 (Enhanced Fujita Scale) tornado touched down near the Cambridge Turnpike at approximately 3:20 a.m. Monday morning before heading toward the Northeast. Officials report that most of the damage was concentrated near Alcott, Lexington and Independence Roads.

Officials say that 39 homes were damaged with only one suffering significant structural damage. No one was injured as a result of the storm.

"We are thankful that no residents were injured during last night's storm," Concord Police Chief Joseph O'Connor said in a statement. "We ask that everyone be patient during today's cleanup and stay as far away from the damaged areas as possible."

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito were in Concord at approximately 3:15 to assess the damage.

"Anyone who doubts the fury and precision of mother nature just needs to look at the path of the storm," Baker told reporters Monday.

NWS data indicates that the tornado had a damage length of a half-mile long and 400 yards wide, and lasted approximately 10 minutes before leaving the ground. The NWS also added that an approximately 200-yard wide path of straight line wind damage extended from Lexington Road west of Hawthorne to Edmonds Road.

"Thankfully nobody was hurt and the damage to the houses in that area was relatively light," Baker said."In many ways we got hugely lucky on that one."

The Concord Municipal Light Plant reported that 1,013 customers were without power originally. As of 11:48 a.m., 513 customers were still without power.

Authorities issued a reverse 911 call and a Code Red to residents regarding the storm.

"I'd like to commend the police and fire departments for their hard work and swift response during the aftermath of this storm in the early morning hours," Town Manager Whelan said. "Thank you to all who have assisted us throughout this process as we work to repair damages today."

NWS stated that it is possible that many trees were uprooted due to the ongoing drought conditions which resulted in weakened root systems.

Louisa May Allcott's Orchard House is closed due to the storm. Power is currently out at the house, but the Orchard house was not damaged.

Check back with Patch as this story develops.

Officials urged residents to stay home due to blocked roadways and downed power lines. Residents who must go outside are urged to stay clear of downed trees with downed power lines that are charged.

The most recent tornado in Massachusetts before the overnight one in Concord was June 23, 2015, when an EF0 tornado hit Wrentham. Before that, there was an EF2 in Revere on July 28, 2014, and a EF0 in Stoughton on May 9, 2013.

According to NECN meteorologist Aaron Perry, the tornado is only the fourth overnight tornado in Massachusetts since 1950.

An EF1 tornado is categorized as having wind speeds of between 86 to 110 miles per hour.

Many took to social media to discuss the storm.

Images courtesy of the Concord Police and Fire Departments.