HIRAM, Maine (WBZ NewsRadio) — A tornado touched down in Maine on Saturday, causing a five-mile long path of property damage and downed trees.
According to National Weather Service Gray, the tornado formed at around 3:30 p.m. in Oxford County in southwestern Maine, over an island along the western side of Barker Pond.
NWS Gray had issued a severe thunderstorm warning earlier on Saturday for the towns of Hiram and Denmark. NWS said it was expecting up to 60 mph winds, quarter-sized hail, and possible tornadoes.
According to a report of the tornado, the estimated maximum wind speed was 80 mph, the maximum path width was 100 yards, the tornado path continued for almost five miles, and there were no fatalities or injuries reported.
"A number of softwood trees were snapped or uprooted on the east side of the lake at the end of Barker Pond Road," said NWS. "The tornado continued northeast ... where winds downed a willow tree and an oak tree ... Along with the tree damage, a building lost a tin roof at the end of Peabody Pond Road."
NWS said eyewitnesses described spray from the pond as the tornadic winds reached the western shore of Peabody Pond. The tornado eventually dissipated over the pond.
The NWS offices across Northern New England said this week will also be dedicated as Hurricane Preparedness Week.
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(Photo: NWS Gray)