EF1 Tornado Confirmed near Burlington Flats in Otsego County New York

• Location: Burlington Flats in Otsego County New York
• Date: July 29, 2011
• Estimated time: 520 PM EDT
• Maximum ef-scale rating: EF1
• Estimated maximum wind speed: 85 to 90 MPH
• Maximum path width: 120 yards
• Path length: 0.75 miles
• Beginning lat/lon: 42.74n / 75.19w
• Ending lat/lon: 42.74n / 75.18w
• Fatalities: 0
• Injuries: 0

Summary

A team of meteorologists surveyed storm damage in Burlington Flats. The team determined that a tornado initially touched down just west of the intersection of Fish and Game Road and Gardner Road. A photo indicated a funnel just west of the initial touchdown location. Convergent damage included two large wagons blown toward the northwest, while several large trees were uprooted and blown down toward the northeast. Damage occurred at and near a barn, including a several hundred pound tub of sand being moved a few feet, a broken window, and damage to a wooden structure. Corn was also sheared in a field. Damage in this area indicated top wind speeds of 75 to 80 mph, indicating an EF0 intensity.

The tornado appeared to dissipate briefly, in a field just east of gardner road, then a second touchdown occurred at a creek near 162 Chapin Road. EF1 damage was surveyed in this area, including 10 to 20 large, uprooted trees, and a large barn blown several inches off of its foundation. One of the large trees hit a house and damaged the roof. Damage in this area was also convergent, as the top of a large tree was determined to be blown northeast of Chapin Road, while several other trees were uprooted and blown toward the northwest. The tornado crossed Chapin Road and dissipated in a corn field west of county route 51. Damage in this area indicated top wind speeds of 85 to 90 mph.

The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event(s) and publication in National Weather Service Storm Data.

For reference, the Enhanced Fujita Scale classification can be found here.

MSE/EH