Tornado takes down trees in CT with 80 mph gusts

SOMERS, Conn. - A tornado with peak winds of 80 mph knocked down trees in northern Connecticut.

The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down for almost two miles after 6 p.m. Sunday in Somers, near the Massachusetts state line. EF-0 is the lowest rating for tornadoes based on wind speeds.

The tornado cut a path 1.9 miles long for about 7 minutes, based on radar, fire department logs, and an eyewitness account, according to the National Weather Service. 

"Several large pine trees were downed on Colonial Drive and two cars were destroyed by the falling trees. Approximately 19 trees were snapped, twisted, and uprooted on Lake Drive," the National Weather Service said in a damage report. "A resident of Lake Drive heard a loud whirring noise and observed the tops of trees flying by the house. Shingles were missing on a house next door. A playscape was lifted up and landed approximately 50 feet away."

No one was hurt.

WFSB journalist Christian Colon surveyed the storm damage around Somers on Monday morning. He shared a video of some of the damage on Twitter. 

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"It took seconds. Trees are getting ripped up. It sounded like a freight train," Somers resident Ray Spanillo said.

The town planned to assess the damage Monday.

"This storm was low-topped and did not possess any lightning, only heavy rain," the National Weather Service said. "However, atmospheric conditions, high humidity and just enough wind shear aloft were strong enough to cause this isolated spin-up."