MATTAPOISETT — In a twist no one would have expected, a tornado touched down in Mattapoisett around 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8 causing damage to homes, trees and the town’s water treatment plant, according to town and state officials.

Preliminary damage reports gathered by the National Weather Service show that the tornado reached an estimated 95 miles per hour, reached a maximum width of 300 yards and traveled nearly one mile. 

According to the Mattapoisett town website, the tornado touched down in the area of Tinkham Lane, Acushnet Road and North Street north of the 195 Interstate. 

The tornado, which was categorized as an EF-1, dissipated around 11:23 a.m., said officials. 

“It’s pretty rare to have an EF-1,” said Mattapoiset Select Board member Tyler Macallister. “If anybody was in Mattapoisett when that storm came through, there was a lot of action going on ... there was so much wind aloft in that storm.”

According to Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, homes, trees and power lines were damaged. 

“Tinkham Lane and that area [saw] extensive downed trees,” he said. “There are some homes with minor damage. There was a shed that was taken out and some vehicles damaged. Luckily, fingers crossed, we don’t believe there’s any serious damage to homes at this time.”

At an Aug. 8 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board, Lorenco said that “some vehicles” including a highway department vehicle and mower took damage.

According to Lorenco, the Mattapoisett water treatment plant has “sustained damage” but is still operational and running on backup generators.

“It took pretty significant damage from what I hear, I haven’t seen it yet,” said Lorenco.

Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld said “the building had pretty good damage on the roof.”

“People can still get town water … we’ll wait and see how soon Eversource can get power to that building,” added Lorenco, who noted that there “will be costs” to keep the building running using a diesel generator but the town will seek reimbursement from the state.

On Tinkham Lane, homeowners stood outside their homes assessing the damage from the storm.

“We’re fortunate, we have mostly downed trees and minor cosmetic [damage],” said Tinkham Lane resident Rochelle Correia. “Our electrical panels ripped, we have some yard stuff that [blew] everywhere … there doesn’t appear to be any structural damage.”

“Thankfully everybody’s ok,” she added.

According to the National Weather Service no one was injured in the storm.

Heavy rain and strong winds blanketed the South Coast beginning around 10 a.m. and prompted extreme weather warnings.

Jack Vaughan, a Mattapoisett Road resident who works at Poi Market on County Road, said he drove to work during the storm just before the tornado warning sounded. 

“I drive a 2003 Toyota Corolla, it’s a pretty old car so when I was driving on the road my max windshield wiper speed could not handle [the rain]. I could barely see the road,” he said. “Even the potholes would suck you in — those roads don’t drain water well.”

He said that after he arrived at work “the lights would flicker.”

According to Eversource, between 400 and 450 homes were without power. 

Lorenco said this is the first tornado he can recall in Mattapoisett.

“I grew up in the town … in thirty-something years I don’t recall a tornado touching down in Mattapoisett,” said Lorenco.

Standing outside her home, Correia said she hoped to make the news, but not like this.

“We want to make the news that we’ve won the Powerball,” chimed in Tinkham Lane resident Danny Marmelo.