West Virginia Weather: May 9th, 2024 (Wood County)

Rating: EF-1
Beginning Location: 7 miles ESE North Hills (39.2763, -81.3898)
End Location: 8 miles SSW Belmont (39.2647, -81.3288)
County: Wood
Start Time: 8:19 p.m.
End Time: 8:21 p.m.
Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph
Path Length: 3.4 miles
Path Width Maximum: 250 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 1

Details from NWS Storm Survey: A brief EF1 tornado has been confirmed in Wood County, east of Parkersburg. A NWS survey team found initial concentrated tree damage north of Rising Sun Ridge Road. There were hardwood trees observed uprooted with additional large branches down in a converging pattern.

The damage continued southeast to a small section of Jericho Road. Here, a narrow swath of large mixed hardwood and softwood trees were observed either uprooted or snapped close to their bases. In addition, a mobile home and barn were flipped over. There was one minor injury, as a person was inside the mobile home at the time it flipped over. There was a clear converging damage pattern noted here. Tree damage continued southeast to the end of Whitlatch Lane where large mixed hardwood and softwood trees were uprooted or snapped in a converging pattern. The highest rated damage occurred at these locations and served as the basis for the EF1 rating.

The tornado continued southeast to Ralston Hill Road and weakened, as only a few trees were uprooted or snapped with primarily large branches down. The tornado lifted along the southern end of State Route 31, just north of State Highway 50. A few trees were observed uprooted with large branches down along with a RV that was rolled over.

Photos of Damage

Both photos courtesy of the National Weather Service in Charleston, WV