Weather Service confirms that microburst from storm caused extensive damage in Nyssa
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, July 1st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NYSSA — The Nyssa community continues to recover after a powerful microburst struck on Wednesday, June 26. Residents likened the intense storm to a tornado or hurricane.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Boise confirmed that the event was a wet microburst caused by a supercell thunderstorm, causing significant damage to the town.
According to the NWS, a microburst is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter. Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface, and in some instances, can be life-threatening.
The NWS report detailed the storm’s impact, noting that strong straight-line winds flattened crops, tore aluminum siding from outbuildings, and flipped a small shed and a camper. Ten power poles were shattered but had already been replaced by the time of the report.
Additionally, a house experienced a shattered window and broken trusses due to the rapid pressure increase inside. A barn had its doors ripped off by the wind.
One individual suffered a broken arm from debris, likely a tree limb, according to the NWS. The storm’s maximum wind gusts were estimated at 75-80 mph, similar to a category 1 hurricane, with hailstones an inch in diameter damaging crops.
Minor flooding was also observed, with water reaching about six feet deep in the East Main Street railroad underpass during the storm.
In the aftermath, power was restored to the community within 12 hours and all roads are now clear of flooding.
