A series of severe storms ravaged Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on Wednesday night, producing radar-confirmed tornadoes and prompting ongoing tornado watches across the region.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington reported radar-confirmed tornadoes in the Florence, Erlanger and Burlington areas after midnight, and another in the Piketon, Beaver and Stockdale in Ohio area around 4:15 a.m.
A tornado watch remains in effect, with additional warnings north of the area.
A tornado “likely” touched down in Dearborn County, Indiana, shortly after midnight, according to the county’s emergency management agency. Emergency responders are working to secure roadways and utilities and verify the safety of people in the area, per a Facebook post.
They’re also working with the NWS to complete storm surveys.
Here’s what you should know about how the NWS conducts its storm surveys.
How does the NWS conduct storm surveys?
After severe weather occurs, NWS meteorologists complete the following steps.
For in-person damage surveys, the NWS uses a GIS-based app to log geotagged damage points. Surveyors aim to document the most significant damage and its location, as well as determine the length and width of the damage path.
However, damage assessments can also be conducted remotely by coordinating with local officials and reviewing radar data, photos, videos and high-resolution drone footage.
Why does the NWS conduct damage surveys?
According to the NWS, surveys are conducted to determine whether damage was caused by a tornado or straight-line winds.
If a tornado is confirmed, the agency determines its strength and damage path. If not, it provides an estimated wind speed for straight-line wind damage.
The NWS notes that storm surveys are often conducted when there is significant damage, which may indicate a high-end tornado rating, such as EF4 or EF5.
Difference between tornadoes and damaging winds
Per the NWS, straight-line winds typically move in one direction, while tornadoes often produce a “convergent” damage pattern.
However, weaker tornadoes can sometimes move in a single direction, and straight-line winds can also “twist” damage. The weather service notes that “twisted trees” are not always evidence of a tornado, as they can result from heavy branches or winds funneling around buildings.
That’s why conducting a storm survey and evaluating the overall damage pattern is crucial.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How the NWS tracks damage and confirms tornadoes
Reporting by Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
