PRINCETON — Monday night’s severe storm included an EF-1 tornado that hit eastern Franklin County. Based on data and damage patterns, Thomas Winter, county emergency management coordinator, said that he and the National Weather Service in Topeka have concluded that there was a tornado in the storm. The tornado touched down near John Brown and Nebraska roads and traveled about a mile on the ground, Winter said. On the Fugita Scale, an EF-1 tornado wind speeds range from 85 to 110 miles an hour. The same storm cell also packed winds of 80 mph, he said. The twister ripped the roof off a home, dispossessing a family, and damaging some farm buildings and vehicles, as well as several power poles, he said. In all, the series of storms destroyed 40 poles east and north of Ottawa. About 40 households remained without power this morning, he said.
Wednesday, March 8, noon
