Weather
Tornado Touches Down Near Port Orchard
The Tuesday afternoon tornado event was as brief as it was unusual for the Kitsap County/Puget Sound region.
PORT ORCHARD, WA - A tornado briefly touched down near Port Orchard in Kitsap County Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service's Seattle office. The agency noted it is unable to gauge the tornado's strength until it conducts a survey Wednesday morning.
The tornado reportedly came down near a grocery store parking lot in the Bethel area just before 2 p.m. Dec. 18. The NWS confirmed the tornado via radar imagery.
News reporters in the area shared photos and video of the brief and usual weather event, showing toppled trees, whirling debris, and some damaged structures and vehicles.
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Gig Harbor Fire was among the responding emergency personnel.
Based on radar imagery & video evidence, a tornado touched down south of Port Orchard this afternoon shortly before 2 PM. We continue to work with EM partners on the extent of damage. We will not be able to survey the area before dark tonight - will send a team tomorrow morning.
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 18, 2018
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#BREAKING Wild weather ripped through Port Orchard. Weather Service says it was a #tornado that toppled trees and tore off roofs in Kitsap County. #KOMONews pic.twitter.com/d6Xl2Wpchc
— ElisaJaffe (@ElisaJaffe) December 18, 2018
Image via Shutterstock
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