Last Saturday, a quick-hitting EF-1 tornado briefly dropped along the Rich–Cache county line near Sink Road and Hodges Canyon in northern Utah, snapping and uprooting trees along a thin slice of countryside. The National Weather Service logged a short 0.44-mile track and estimated peak winds near 100 mph. It was a mess for the trees, but there were no injuries reported when crews checked out the damage.
Storm survey details
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City reported in a tweet that the tornado was rated EF-1, with maximum winds near 100 mph and a path length of roughly 0.44 miles. Forecasters noted that the touchdown hugged the border of Rich and Cache counties and that most of the observed damage was limited to snapped and uprooted trees in a narrow corridor.
Where it touched down
KSL TV located the touchdown near Sink Road and Hodges Canyon and shared a photo credited to Derek Petersen that showed fallen limbs scattered across the area. The station reported no immediate signs of structural damage or injuries and said survey work focused on a short, rural stretch where the tornado briefly tracked through.
Tornado history in the region
Tornadoes are not exactly a regular visitor in northern Utah, but they are not unheard of either. The NWS Salt Lake City tornado history lists only a handful of confirmed touchdowns in Rich and Cache counties over the decades. That relatively sparse record helps explain why even a brief EF-1 twister can grab the attention of forecasters and local officials in a hurry.
Safety and next steps
Residents in the Garden City–Laketown corridor are being encouraged to walk their properties, check for downed limbs, and steer clear of snapped trees or any downed power lines. Officials are asking people to report damage to county emergency management so crews can prioritize clearing and cleanup. With spring severe weather season under way, locals are being reminded to keep weather radios and phone alerts switched on and to follow guidance from local authorities when storms roll through.
