NEWBURYPORT, MASS. (WHDH) - An apparent funnel cloud could be seen in the Newburyport and Salisbury area as severe thunderstorms moved through Essex County late Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
RELATED: Track the storms on interactive radar
“Based upon a quick review of photos/videos of what appears to be a tornado in the Newburyport/Salisbury area, we believe it to be a funnel cloud, pending further information,” NWS Boston said in a tweet.
Video showed the cloud stretching down into the trees as fierce winds whipped the area.
That sight left people on the North Shore with a sense of disbelief.
“It came down pretty quick, just as it was about to hit the ground it was gonna hit the ground it dissipated and went back up,” witness Mike Prespa said.
The NWS added that there is no evidence indicating the cloud reached the ground.
Had the cloud made contact with the ground, it would have been classified as a tornado.
Based upon a quick review of photos/videos of what appears to be a tornado in the Newburyport/Salisbury area, we believe it to be a funnel cloud, pending further information. There does seem to be *weak* rotation visible, but there is no evidence it touched the ground. https://t.co/kM46QaRuYH
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 13, 2020
The storms moved through quickly as seen on a time-lapse video taken from resident John Kalashian’s driveway — strong winds sending lawn chairs flying.
“Right into the yard, heavy chairs, folding chairs not just folding chairs, the heavy canvas chairs git blown right across the driveway,” Kalashian said.
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