EF-0 tornado hits John Day—first recorded tornado since 1890
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY – Well, the word is out. It was a tornado that wreaked havoc on multiple properties outside of John Day on November 5th, 2023. This is the first recorded tornado to hit Grant County since 1890, according to Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush.
Our newsroom has confirmed with the National Weather Service that the twister was, indeed, an EF-0 tornado that touched down near Marysville Lane in John Day. This marks the smallest and weakest a tornado can be, but still a tornado, nonetheless. See the Enhanced Fujita Scale below, provided by Grant County Emergency Management.
Find below the press release issued by Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley:
(Release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office)
On 11/5/2023 at about 1:05pm a confirmed EF-0 tornado touched down near 61694 Marysville Lane, John Day. There were no injuries.
It severely damaged two occupied residences, two out buildings, which included a hay shed and three vehicles. The tornado was strong enough to move a 28′ travel trailer 9′ feet north and two feet east.
The other residence suffered major roof damage, exposing part of the living area to the elements.
Several large juniper trees were broken off at the trunk, had large limbs broken off, with one completely ripped from the ground, exposing a root ball at least six foot in diameter.
Occupants in the manufactured home took refuge in the bathroom.
A Deputy responded to the scene and insured no one was injured.
On 11-6-2023 staff from NOAA arrived in Canyon City and conducted a site survey with Grant County Emergency Manager Eric Bush, and documented damage indicators that established the stated rating.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to social media via video, pictures and statements. It was instrumental in understanding this very rare event, our first documented tornado since 1890.
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Here is the official statement from the National Weather Service in Pendleton:
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
325 PM PST Tue Nov 7 2023
…NWS Damage Survey for November 5, 2023 Tornado Event…
.Overview…One EF-0 tornado was produced by a thunderstorm
south near the city of Canyon City in Oregon, or two miles
southeast of John Day, near Marysville Lane. The short-lived
tornado ran between 12:59 pm PST and 1:04 pm PST, approximate
2 miles east-southeast of Canyon City, Oregon. The tornado
traveled slightly less than 0.25 miles before dissipating.
.EF-0 tornado
Rating: EF0
Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph
Path Length /statute/: 0.2294| miles
Path Width /maximum/: 75 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start Date: November 5, 2023
Start Time: 12:59 pm PST
Start Location: 2 ESE Canyon City / Grant County / OR
Start Lat/Lon: 44.3983/-118.9123
End Date: November 5, 2023
End Time: 1:04 pm PST
End Location: 2 ESE Canyon City / Grant County / OR
End Lat/Lon: 44.3995/-118.908
Survey Summary:
Approximate EF0 tornado path was less than 0.25 miles at
Marysville Lane, located east-southeast of Canyon City, Oregon.
One tree was uprooted in saturated soil. One manufactured home
experienced roof damage, including the removal of roofing
material. An opened hay shelter also saw roofing material
removed. A travel-trailer was moved several feet from its
original location.
&&
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:
EF0…..65 to 85 mph
EF1…..86 to 110 mph
EF2…..111 to 135 mph
EF3…..136 to 165 mph
EF4…..166 to 200 mph
EF5…..>200 mph
NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.
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Find photos of the event, a video, witness accounts, and National Weather Service know-how by following the link below to our previous story:
