Tornado damages structures in Coolin

A tornado touched down about 5 p.m. Friday in Coolin, Idaho, spewing hail and high winds and damaging some buildings.

No injuries were reported.

“It held together quite a bit as it moved south from Coolin to Sandpoint,” said Todd Lericos, of the National Weather Service, which issued a severe storm warning for parts of North Idaho just before the tornado hit. “Before it reached Sandpoint, it started falling apart.”

Lericos said winds were measured nearby at up to 40 mph, and nickel-size hail was reported near Coolin. Weather service crews will perform a storm survey Monday to determine the damage and scale of the tornado.

“It sounded like a loud whistle,” said Allen Lieske, assistant chief of the Coolin Cavanaugh Bay Fire District. “I saw three trees snap off right in front of my eyes at my neighbor’s house.”

Lieske said the area has had several strong windstorms in the past six months and he didn’t think the storm was a big deal. Then he noticed a damage path and trees twisted from their trunks.

Lieske estimated that eight homes and businesses were damaged. A portion of the steel roof above the Fire Department garage peeled away. Some power lines were downed. It wasn’t clear Friday how many power customers were affected.

It was the second tornado this year in the Inland Northwest. One hit Spokane County in May.

“Tornadoes are kind of rare up here,” Lericos said.

Lericos said the threat of severe thunderstorms, rain and hail could continue today.