Tornado warning issued for Washington Coast as waterspout nears land

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A tornado warning was issued for the Washington Coast near southwestern Grays Harbor County due to a waterspout that was spotted near shore at approximately 4:35 p.m.

The sighting came roughly an hour after a “well-defined” waterspout was spotted swirling off Washington’s Long Beach peninsula near the Oregon-Washington border, Portland’s National Weather Service said. The initial waterspout was seen from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at approximately 3:20.

“A thunderstorm off the Columbia River was moving to the northeast this afternoon and formed a well-defined waterspout,” the NWS stated.

The storm was estimated to have moved onshore near Cape Shoalwater and North Cove in Pacific County at approximately 4:15 p.m. If a waterspout reaches land, it is considered a tornado. A tornado warning was in effect until 5 p.m.

"Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter," the tornado warning issued by the NWS stated. "Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."