An EF1 tornado carved a tight, mean path through Williamstown, Vermont, late Thursday night, snapping trees, tearing at roofs and leveling a sugar shack along Chelsea Road. Residents reported golf-ball-size hail hammering cars, fierce winds tossing debris across yards and driveways, and a chaotic few minutes that left the town picking up the pieces. Despite the mess, officials say there were no injuries, and local crews spent hours clearing roads and checking damaged buildings.
NWS Preliminary Survey: EF1, 90 Mph Winds
According to a preliminary damage survey from the National Weather Service, the tornado packed estimated peak winds near 90 mph, touched down around 9:15 p.m., stayed on the ground for roughly three minutes and tracked more than four-tenths of a mile with a maximum width of about 100 yards, as reported by NBC Boston. The survey also notes damage to two buildings and numerous trees, including many with their tops sheared clean off.
Residents Describe Sudden, Destructive Storm
Neighbors along Chelsea Road told reporters the storm hit fast and hard, with hail piling up like snow on lawns and roofs ripped from outbuildings. A photo gallery shows the sugar shack collapsed into a heap of lumber, surrounded by several downed trees. Officials and local crews reported no injuries as they moved from yard to yard, working to reopen roads and remove dangerous limbs, according to WPTZ.
Town Thanks Crews As Cleanup Begins
The town publicly thanked its road crew, firefighters and neighbors who grabbed chainsaws and tractors and pitched in on the cleanup in the hours after the storm, NBC Boston reported. Residents said crews focused first on reopening Chelsea Road and making damaged structures safe enough for homeowners and inspectors to get a closer look.
Why This Touchdown Is Notable
National Weather Service staffer Marlon Verasamy noted that tornadoes are rare in that part of Vermont, since the hilly terrain usually breaks up rotating storms before they can fully organize. He called the touchdown “really, really unique to get a tornado in this kind of terrain” in remarks aired by WPTZ. The mix of hail, concentrated wind and a short ground track highlights how even small, isolated severe cells can still spin up brief tornadoes in New England.
What Residents Should Do Now
Officials say anyone with photos or damage to report that could help the survey team should contact local emergency officials and share information with the National Weather Service office in Burlington, which also posts guidance on safety and storm reporting online. For immediate hazards, authorities advise checking for gas leaks, steering clear of any downed power lines and calling 911 for emergencies, according to the National Weather Service.
