NWS confirms EF-1 damage in Olive Branch, MS

NOTE: This information has been superceded, upgrading the intensity to EF-2. See the report here.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
854 PM CDT THU JUL 30 2009

...PRELIMINARY DAMAGE SURVEY REPORT FOR OLIVE BRANCH MISSISSIPPI TORNADO...

A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DAMAGE SURVEY TEAM FOUND TORNADO DAMAGE IN THE VICINITY OF OLIVE BRANCH MISSISSIPPI NEAR THE INTERSECTIONS OF BETHEL ROAD AND U.S. HIGHWAY 78. THE TEAM FOUND NUMEROUS HOMES DAMAGED WITH SOME HOMES WITHOUT ROOFS AND PORTIONS OF THEIR SECOND STORIES IN THE BETHEL PARK SUBDIVISION.

THE TEAM PRELIMINARILY RATED THIS TORNADO AS EF-1 DAMAGE WITH ESTIMATED WIND SPEEDS OF 105 MPH. THE PRELIMINARY WIDTH WAS 300 YARDS AND PRELIMINARY LENGTH WAS FOUR MILES. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL UPDATE THIS SURVEY REPORT AS NEEDED ON FRIDAY.