PLYMOUTH — The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana confirmed an EF1 tornado struck far western Marshall County late Sunday afternoon.
According to a release from Marshall County EMA Director Jack Garner, at approximately 4:22 PM on Sunday, March 30, a small tornado touched down in Starke County and quickly intensified to EF1 intensity as it raced northeastward. The tornado caused extensive tree and generally minor structural damage across the Ancilla College campus and Gilbert Lake.
The tornado then continued northeastward and damaged several homes near Union Rd and 9th Rd. A mobile home was torn from its anchored undercarriage and overturned, injuring one inside. Two barns just northeast of the college were also flattened.
The tornado lifted at 4:28 PM near Tulip Rd north of 9th Rd. The length of the tornado’s path was 3.3 miles with a maximum width of 750 yards. Estimated peak winds were 110 mph.
This information is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event.
While all of Marshall County experienced severe wind speeds on Sunday, this area was the only place where damage appeared to be caused by a tornado and not straight-line winds.
The damage survey was a joint effort by the National Weather Service and the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency.
