Massive cleanup after Utah tornadoes

WASHINGTON TERRACE, Utah — (KUTV) A tornado touched down in Washington Terrace Thursday afternoon, severely damaging some homes with less damage to many others in the area.

The severe storm moved into Davis and Weber counties and produced the confirmed tornado that knocked out power to around 30,000 residents. Officials in the area said there were no significant injuries. Those who were injured were hurt by debris or glass cuts. Multiple cars were damaged and trees and power lines were downed. There were also reports of gas leaks.

Gaelynn Sewell was with her husband in her home when the tornado passed near enough to shatter windows and wreak havoc inside and outside her home.

“The whole house started shaking,” she said. “I didn’t even know what happened. It is a disaster in there; it moved everything.”

Sewell said she was with her husband in the home and while they were both safe and okay, she was injured, including some visible cuts on her legs.

“Something hit me in the back so my ribs might be broken but that is nothing compared to what could have happened.”
She said the tornado moved her car and blew their shed off its foundation.

Rainbow brings hope to those hit by this tornado. Folks tell me they are sad but glad no one was serious hurt.

“It moved our entire shed that is full of heavy stuff,” she said. She also stressed that she wasn’t worried about the damage. It is just stuff; it’s all just stuff. We are okay and that is all that matters.”

KUTV meteorologist Chase Thomason said from the scene that the tornado seemed to have moved through the neighborhood from the southeast toward the northeast. The teeth of the storm moved toward Hill Air Force base which was also without power Thursday.

It appears the tornado jumped with multiple spots of damage in Riverdale and Washington Terrace. The worst damage seemed to be in the block of 200 East and 4700 South.