Cleanup Begins After Webster Tornado [PHOTOS]

August 5, 2018

Doc Siddall/Lake940.com

The cleanup has begun throughout Webster and parts of Dudley after an EF-1 tornado with winds of up to 110 miles per hour tore through downtown on Saturday morning.

Luckily, only one person was treated for minor injuries when a tree fell on her car as she was driving on Main Street.

Main Street was blocked off as first responders dealt with flooding and damage, and residents looked on as the roof of at least one building was torn off.

This is what the area looked like according to Google Street View in 2015.

Google Street View

In total, three buildings were condemned, including the old Webster Music and Photo Mart building, which has been empty for several years, and 42 Main Street, home of Downtown Tattoos and apartment buildings upstairs. Officials estimate at least 25 people were displaced from their homes, the Red Cross is assisting those who need it.

While most of the damage occurred in Webster, there was also a second tornado that hit Woodstock that was ranked an EF-0 with winds up to 80 mph.

In a tweet, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said that the tornado caused significant damage to both residents and businesses, and thanked crews for their quick response. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito toured the devastated Main Street area of Webster with members of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

This morning's tornado has caused significant damage in Webster and Dudley, displacing both residents and businesses. @MassEMA is coordinating the response with local officials, utilities and the @RedCrossMA. Thank you to first responders and others for your quick response.

— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) August 4, 2018

With @MassEMA, local officials + first responders here in Webster where a tornado has caused extensive damage, and forced both individuals + businesses from their homes and storefronts. State agencies, as well as the @RedCrossMA, are on the ground to assist in recovery efforts. pic.twitter.com/VsLystO4nm

— Karyn Polito (@MALtGovArchive) August 4, 2018

In town, Webster EMS posted a thank you on their Facebook page to all of the paramedics and EMT’s that reported to duty yesterday. “Great job by Webster Fire, Webster Police, Department of Fire Services, National Grid, and all of the mutual aid that came to help. Teamwork!”

https://www.facebook.com/websterems/posts/2108702489202275

The Webster Police Department posted surveillence video of the exact moments the tornado touched down in town, saying “Thank you to everyone who assisted today with the tornado response. We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.”

You can see the wind and rain pick up around the 09:57:10 time stamp in the upper left corner of the video.

https://www.facebook.com/websterpolice/videos/1908560509204574/

Dudley’s Fire Department also responded, since a lot of the damage was right on the town line. Dudley did suffer some damage to trees, but almost no structural damage was reported. Some amazing photos from their Facebook page are below.

https://www.facebook.com/DudleyFireMA/posts/811336895733219

In addition to people being displaced, Webster Animal Control Officer Michelle Lafleche also reported for duty to take care of pets and animals that were displaced by the tornado.

https://www.facebook.com/michelle.a.lafleche/posts/10210254059622788

https://www.facebook.com/michelle.a.lafleche/posts/10210253009596538

Thank you to the men and women of the local police, fire and EMS who work tirelessly and risk their lives on a daily basis so that we can live and work in a safe community.

Now to your photos. The photos submitted to Lake940.com via Facebook minutes after the storm. THE LAKE 940’s Doc Siddall was on scene interviewing residents and taking photos for us, and our listeners and readers have also sent in many great pictures. Click on the thumbnails below to make them larger.