Erin Strengthens to a Hurricane; Heavy Rainfall Possible in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Upper Midwest, South Texas

Hurricane Erin may bring isolated flash and urban flooding, landslides or mudslides, and possible tropical storm conditions to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall may bring areas of flooding this weekend over the Upper Midwest. A tropical disturbance will bring locally heavy rain and mainly urban flash flooding to far southern Texas. Read More >

Strength: EF-2

Wind Speed: 130 mph

Path Length: 7.2 miles

Path Width: 150 yards

Estimated touchdown/ending time: 122 PM CST - 229 PM EST

The tornado first touched down north of Russell Springs in northern Russell County west of Highway 127 where it did minor damage to trees, barns, and outbuildings. The tornado then intensified as it moved east with the worst damage occurring along a 1.5 mile stretch from Highway 76 eastward over Oak Grove Road to Pattie Ridge Road. On Highway 76 two mobile homes were totally destroyed and a modular home was rotated 30-80 feet counterclockwise off its foundation (with a quarter of the home blown away). Two residents survived in an underground tornado shelter where they took refuge having heard of the warning via sirens and phone calls 3-5 minutes before the tornado destroyed their homes. Residents were not home at the time of the tornado at the other homes destroyed along its path. The tornado then weakened as it moved into southern Casey County where it damaged more trees, barns, and outbuildings. The tornado lifted west-southwest of Windsor.

Photos from the official NWS Storm Survey Team: