NWS confirms EF-0 tornado in Bainbridge

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WCTV) - After a survey of the damage left behind by Wednesday’s storms, the National Weather Service has determined an EF-0 tornado with winds of 80 mph did touch down in Bainbridge.

According to the report, the results are being considered preliminary. NWS’s survey says the tornado lasted one minute, and its path was 0.94 miles long and 50 yards wide. The survey also says the tornado happened at 3:07 p.m., touching down just southwest of Evans Street between S. West and Academy street before uprooting a tree on Evans Street.

The tornado then moved northeastward, causing minor damage to a small apartment building on Potter Street and knocking over a highway road sign on E. Shotwell Street, according to NWS.

NWS surveyors noticed minor tree damage and fallen branches across E. Broughton, E. Water and Planter streets. The Bearcat Express Convenience Store on Calhoun Street had its metal roofing peeled back by the tornado, and a metal carport nearby the store was also damaged, NWS says.

A home on Albany Road suffered minor roof damage, and the tornado snapped more tree branches on that street, the NWS survey says. Surveyors say the tornado’s path ended as it lifted just north of E. Carter Street.

The Enhanced Fujita scale classifies EF-0 tornadoes, which have wind speeds between 65 and 85 mph, as weak.

Bainbridge Public Safety is reporting a possible tornado and damage on Broad and Evans, Independent and Calhoun streets.

BPS posted photos of the damage, as well as a video from Brad Cox from Shotwell Street, to their Facebook page.

According to the National Weather Service, a preliminary local storm report indicates a “possible brief tornado” in Bainbridge, as well as roof damage to the Bearcat Express Convenience Store.

This is a developing story.

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