City officials are assessing damage after a possible funnel cloud or tornado tore through a Longview neighborhood Sunday afternoon, ripping the roof off one commercial building and damaging several others, according to the Longview Fire Department.
The localized weather event hit the 500 block of 14th Avenue around 3:38 p.m., damaging four commercial structures, vehicles, fences, trees, and temporary structures in the area.
The first 911 call came at 3:13 p.m., reporting that a large gust of wind blew the roof off Uncaged Cycles at 537 14th Avenue, sending debris into the roadway. Another caller reported seeing a tornado pass through the area.
Dispatch audio from Broadcastify indicates multiple buildings sustained damage, including Felton’s Heating and Air, which was hit by debris from Uncaged Cycles, as well as structures at 531 and 557 14th Avenue and Motion Autos. Crews confirmed no one was inside the damaged buildings at the time of the storm.
“Everyone is thankful there were no injuries, given the level of structural damage,” Battalion Chief Eric Koreis said. “Our priority now is to make sure the buildings are secure and the area is safe for the public and nearby businesses.”
The National Weather Service surveyed wind damage in Longview and estimated peak winds of 80-85 mph, likely from a wet microburst. Officials said damaging straight-line winds hit a small area, though a tornado could not be ruled out.
Emergency crews used drones to survey the area and identify hazards. City Building and Planning officials evaluated the stability of damaged structures, and Cowlitz PUD inspected electrical infrastructure, including power poles and utility lines, securing power to affected buildings.
Officials said security camera footage from Brusco Tug and Barge will be shared with the National Weather Service, which plans to respond to the scene to help determine the nature of the storm activity.
Additional damage spanned several blocks around the 500 block of 14th Avenue, including damaged fences, trees, and vehicles. Portions of 14th Avenue remain closed while cleanup and recovery operations continue.
No injuries have been reported.
Wet microbursts are intense downdrafts that produce damaging winds at the ground surface, often causing damage similar to tornadoes but created by different atmospheric mechanisms. The distinction matters for understanding regional weather patterns and improving future forecasting.
Tornadoes are relatively rare in western Washington, making this event particularly noteworthy if National Weather Service analysis confirms tornado activity rather than straight-line winds from a microburst.
