A tornado warning was issued for part of Tooele county on Thursday evening after weather radar began picking up rotation from a powerful storm brewing over Skull Valley. The storm was moving rapidly northeast at 50 mph and several communities were put on notice to take shelter The Salt Lake City National Weather Service (NWS) issued a series of tornado warnings as the storm rolled over Tooele county.

The areas which received warnings include the Skull Valley, Stockton, Rush Valley, Terra and Tooele. The first warning was issued at 5:32 p.m. MDT after a severe thunderstorm with potential to spawn a tornado was spotted over Skull Valley. Thereafter, additional warnings were issued as the storm moved east. The last tornado warning expired at 6:30 p.m. as the storms began to weaken.

Tornado threat diminishes after 6:30 p.m.

The weather radar showed that the storms were spinning with enough strength to potentially touch down, but no touchdowns were reported as the warning was canceled.

After the tornado warning was canceled, the focus shifted to strong winds. The public was urged to take cover as the powerful gusts of winds could cause light objects to fly, leading to property damage, car accident, tree damage and power line damage Winds can be very dangerous as they can lift light objects such as trash bags, rocks, and leaves from the ground and throw them at high speed with enough force to cause damage to property and people. People were advised to take shelter indoors and keep away from windows until the threat has passed.

The storm complex was also accompanied by large hailstones. Damaging winds were also reported as the storm moved across the state. The storm moved over various parts of northern Utah and caused numerous damages. Most of the areas affected by the storm complex received large hail with a diameter of 2 inches on its path.

Stockton and Tooele Residents Advised to take Cover

Local authorities were quick to remind the public to take cover as the storm complex moved across the region.The Stockton Fire Department urged citizens to stay indoors, take shelter, and keep their emergency alert notifications on. The warning urged citizens to avoid driving if it is not necessary while the storm complex is active in the region. The North Tooele fire district also urged residents to secure any loose objects outside if they are not inside during the time of the storm. Objects such as trampolines, patio furniture and even outdoor antennas can become dangerous projectiles during high winds. The public was also urged to report significant damage to their respective authorities. This helps the agencies to know which areas need immediate attention and support as the damage assessment is underway although it may not necessarily mean rescue teams will arrive to help.

Numerous Power Outages Reported Throughout Tooele County

The storm complex also caused widespread power outages across Tooele county. The downed power lines left hundreds of residents without power as the storm complex wreaked havoc across Tooele county. Affected residents were urged to avoid damaged power lines. It is vital that they treat every downed power line as energized. Residents also had to be wary of the downed power lines and avoid driving through areas where power lines have fallen on the road.

Flash Flood warning issued for Stockton and Ophir

The tornado warning was not the only severe weather incident as the flash flood warning was also issued for Stockton and Ophir. Flooding can be very destructive, especially in places where the ground has been scarred due to wildfires. The residents in the burn areas were urged to take caution and move to higher grounds and avoid flooded washes, creeks and other low-lying places.

No Tornado Warning Issued For Tooele County

The last tornado warning for Tooele county expired at 6:30 p.m on Thursday followed by the expiration of the severe wind warning later that night. Tooele County was free of active tornado warnings on Friday as many communities were still cleaning up the aftermath of the storm complex. The storm complex serves as a reminder that severe weather can erupt suddenly, especially in the northern parts of Utah. As such, it is important that residents continue to monitor the latest weather advisory and heed instructions from the local authorities when such a warning is in effect.