Tornado Confirmed By Johnston Mayor, Car Lifted 10-15 Feet In The Air

JOHNSTON, RI — A tornado touched down in Johnston, lifting a car in the air and downing trees and power lines, Mayor Joe Polisena said Friday.

The confirmation came after The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning in a pocket of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Friday morning.

" [I] can confirm tornado touchdown on 295 in area of Greenville Ave. where fire dept responded to a car that was lifted about 10-15ft in air," Polisena said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Extensive damage in area of Peck Hill Rd. in Johnston near Scituate line. Also off George Waterman Rd. in Johnston near N Prov."

The driver of the lifted car was injured and needed to be taken to the hospital, according to town fire officials.

The tornado warning was in effect until 9:15 a.m. EDT and included Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and Greenville. Massachusetts towns under the warning included Attleboro, Mansfield, and Franklin.

Rory Schuler of the Johnston Sun Rise shared multiple photos on X, formerly known as Twitter, of the aftermath which included damage to graves at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Johnston and massive trees toppled to the ground.

NWS Boston/Norton Skywarn also shared photos of the damage in the cemetery, which is off 1 Rhode Island Avenue.

Heavy wind and rain were reported in Johnston and the NWS also warned of possible hailstone precipitation reaching the size of a quarter.

The potential exposure to tornadoes included a population of more than 722,500, 213 schools, and 13 hospitals, according to the NWS.