LAUREL, Del.- The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF2 tornado is to blame for storm damage that occurred early Monday morning in the Laurel and Seaford, Del. area.
The NWS said Monday afternoon that the tornado, which reached maximum wind speeds of 120 mph, started at around 3:38 a.m. at Woodland Ferry Road in Laurel and headed northeast to Pepper Road in Seaford.
The NWS said a tree fell on a house, resulting in one injury. In addition, there was roof damage to several other homes and barns. Many trees were uprooted along the tornado's path and a few were snapped.
The tornado also knocked power out, and traffic had to be rerouted in parts of the Laurel area.
The Laurel Fire Department said there were seven alarms during the storm, including one related to the aforementioned tree that fell into a house. One patient, an adult male, was transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford for treatment of minor injuries.
Schools in the Laurel School District were closed Monday due to the storm. Schools in the nearby Seaford School District had two-hour delays on Monday.
For the latest traffic information, visit http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/#advisories.
Officials said that at this time, the extent of damage is not fully known as emergency assessment is ongoing. Several emergency agencies from throughout the county and the state of Delaware are assisting in the aftermath and recovery from this event, and the American Red Cross is on site providing assistance to those affected by the storm.
To report storm damage or non-emergency information, call 302-856-7366.
A home on Route 20 and Baker Mill Road near Seaford damaged from an overnight tornado.(Photo: Delaware Electric Cooperative)
This feed silo on Camp Road in Laurel, Delaware, was toppled by the tornado. (Photo: WBOC)
A tree fell on this home on Fire Tower Road in Laurel. (Photo: Janet Jewell)
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