EF-1 tornado touches down in Concord

CONCORD, Mass. — Strong storms -- including at least one tornado -- tore through Middlesex and Essex counties Monday morning, leaving downed trees and power lines across the area.

A Tornado Warning was issued just past 3 a.m. and remained in effect for Middlesex County until 4 a.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning took its place, impacting the Essex County area until 4:30 a.m.

Monday morning, the National Weather Service in Boston confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in the Concord area.

>> PHOTOS: Storm damage across Mass.

An EF-1 tornado can reach wind speeds from 86-110 mph in 3-second gusts, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service after surveying the damage said that the storm that struck the town at about 3 a.m. Monday was an EF-1 tornado that packed winds of about 100 mph. Weather service meteorologist Alan Dunham said the tornado caused a swath of damage about 400 yards wide and about a half-mile long.

EF-1 is the second lowest of six tornado levels.

Concord fire officials tell FOX25 39 homes sustained some sort of damage, but only one suffered significant structural damage. About 1,000 customers in town lost power. Downed tree limbs blocked some secondary roads.

Jenna McNicholas, a Concord resident, said the storms caused trees to fall around her house and crash into her porch.

In Marlborough, nearly two thousand people were left without power after the storm rolled through. Clean up was expected to continue for several days. Power was expected to be restored to most of the area Monday night, however residents of Alcott and and Independence Road may have to wait longer. In addition, Lexington Road was closed through the morning commute.

Gov. Baker toured the damage in Concord and then spoke about the state's response (below):

Here's a look at the damage from SkyFox with an explanation by FOX25 meteorologist Jason Brewer:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group