West Virginia Weather: July 10th, 2003: Wood County

Rating: F-2
Location: 1 mile NW Lubeck, WV
County: Wood
Start Time: 3:29 p.m. (39.25, -81.65)
End Time: 3:34 p.m. (39.26667, -81.6)
Estimated Peak Wind: Not listed
Path Length: 2.5 mile
Path Width Maximum: 250 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Damage: $1,500,000

Details from NWS Survey: A potent squall line developed during the early afternoon across central Ohio, and southwest to central Kentucky. This was along a prefrontal surface boundary, and well out ahead of a strong cold front. The atmosphere warmed into the 80s with surface dew points in the 70 to 75 degree range. Additional thunderstorms formed into a broken west to east line across West Virginia, ahead of the squall line. This caused flooding problems. After 1500E, the squall line accelerated eastward, moving near 50 mph. As a result of this event, a few more counties, such as Ritchie and Harrison, were added to FEMA's disaster declaration number 1474. This federal disaster was initiated during the month of June.

The tornado first touched down along Raymond Street near Lubeck. Several homes were damaged here, including a brick garage, which had its roof thrown a couple hundred feet into neighboring homes. The tornado continued northeast along Smitherman Road, where it intensified to F2 strength. Eight homes were damaged at his time, including 2 homes with their roofs lifted off and thrown several hundred feet. More homes were damaged as the tornado cross Lake Washington Road. One resident took shelter in a basement bathroom. When she opened the door after the storm, there was nothing but daylight. Six RV trailers were overturned at a dealership. The tornado crossed White Acres Road damaging 6 homes. One attached garage was ripped away from a house. The tornado weakened as it crossed Route 892. Trees were mangled near Jewell Road. The storm crossed Island View Drive, but no houses suffered any significant damage. All total, on the order of 30 homes and a couple of businesses sustained damage, with a half dozen homes destroyed. About 15 power poles were snapped. Luckily, no fatalities or injuries occurred.

Radar Imagery

4-Panel Loop (Base Reflectivity, Base Velocity, NROT, MEHS)