By SCOTT CARLSON
North Platte Post
GRAND ISLAND, Neb.-The National Weather Service, Hastings office, has completed the damage assessment of the tornado that struck Grand Island in the early morning hours of July 4.
Based on the damage survey, meteorologists rated the tornado as an EF1 with maximum winds of 110 mph, and was over 200 yards wide at its widest point.
The tornado started four miles south of Grand Island at 12:51 a.m. and gained strength until it lifted at 1:10 a.m., according to the Weather Service.
Along its path, the tornado damaged over half a dozen homes, which included windows being blown out, siding and shingles being blown off, and one home that had its roof half torn off. Additionally, meteorologists said outbuildings were destroyed, including a barn that was over 100 years old in Merrick County.
Hall County Emergency Management said this was a "no warning" event, and no tornado warning was issued until meteorologists saw a debris ball on radar.
The Weather Service said the storm had characteristics that are normally not conducive to the formation of a tornado but said as the storm intensified, conditions rapidly became favorable for tornado development.
No injuries were reported.