Two tornadoes confirmed in Vermont Thursday

Two EF1 tornadoes struck Lincoln and Woodstock, Vermont, on June 18, 2026, resulting in thousands of power outages and significant tree damage, according to reports from NBC5 and the National Weather Service. The storms produced wind speeds up to 105 mph, disrupting local infrastructure across Addison and Windsor counties.

How severe were the Vermont tornadoes?

The National Weather Service confirmed two separate EF1 tornadoes on Thursday. In Lincoln, Addison County, a tornado with winds of 105 mph touched down between 1:31 p.m. and 1:33 p.m.

A second tornado hit Woodstock, Windsor County, with wind speeds of 100 mph between 2:35 p.m. and 2:38 p.m. NBC5 meteorologists first confirmed the Woodstock event using aerial imagery and ground surveys.

Did You Know? A rotation signature for the Woodstock tornado was visible on four separate radars as the storm moved through the area around 2:35 p.m.

What infrastructure damage occurred?

The storms caused thousands of power outages across the affected regions. Aerial video from Woodstock showed trees sheared off, which NBC5 reported as consistent with tornadic damage.

These outages and physical damages represent the primary immediate impact on local utility stability and property. The scale of the power failures indicates a broad disruption to the electrical grid in the impacted counties.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that EF1 tornadoes, while lower on the scale, can create significant economic friction through utility downtime and debris removal costs, particularly when thousands of power outages are reported simultaneously.

How were the tornadoes confirmed?

The National Weather Service conducted an extensive storm survey across multiple locations on Friday to finalize strength details and locate the second tornado in Lincoln.

Surveying the damage: NBC5 returns to the scene of a tornado in Woodstock, VT as crews clean up F…

Verification included the use of drone videos shared exclusively with the NBC5 weather team by Henry Swenson, a New England storm chaser who operates Henry’s Weather Channel. This imagery, combined with radar data, allowed meteorologists to confirm the tornadic activity.

What happens next for the affected areas?

Recovery efforts may focus on restoring power to the thousands of affected customers. Utility companies could face prolonged repair timelines if sheared trees have caused extensive line damage.

Local authorities in Addison and Windsor counties are likely to conduct further assessments of property damage. Future storm preparedness may be influenced by the radar and drone data captured during these events.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the tornadoes hit Vermont?
The tornadoes occurred on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

What were the wind speeds of the two tornadoes?
The Lincoln tornado reached 105 mph, and the Woodstock tornado reached 100 mph.

What evidence was used to confirm the tornadoes?
Confirmation came from National Weather Service storm surveys, rotation signatures on four radars, aerial imagery, and drone videos provided by Henry Swenson.

How should local municipalities improve infrastructure to better withstand EF1-strength winds?