The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning in Utah for east central Tooele County near Dugway and Rush Valley on Thursday evening. The alert told people in that area to take cover immediately and stay inside until the warning expired at 6:30 p.m.
At 5:35 p.m., the weather service said a strong thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was moving east toward the area. By 5:46 p.m., it was eight miles east of Skull Valley, or 13 miles southwest of Grantsville, moving northeast at 50 miles per hour.
Tooele County warning area
The warning covered the Dugway and Rush Valley area in Tooele County, giving people there a narrow window to reach shelter before the storm crossed the zone. The alert told people to move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and to avoid windows.
For people outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, the instructions were more direct: move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. The alert also said flying debris would be dangerous to those without shelter.
National Weather Service alert details
The storm description pointed to the risk around the warning, not a reported tornado on the ground. The weather service said mobile homes would be damaged or destroyed, and that damage to roofs, windows, vehicles, and trees was likely.
The warning remained in effect until 6:30 p.m., so the immediate next step for people in the warned area was to stay sheltered until the alert ended. After that, the practical question was whether the storm had produced a tornado before the warning expired.
