EF-1 Tornado Hits Newark Damaging Christiana Hospital Helicopters

Windows blew in on multiple homes as a 100 mph EF-1 tornado tracked 4.4 miles through neighborhoods and clipped Christiana Hospital on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The severe weather struck on Thursday, bringing heavy rain, hail, and a rare November twister that remained on the ground for 10 minutes starting at 1:05 p.m., the weather service reported. The storm damaged roofs, uprooted trees, and tore through multiple communities before exiting across Churchmans Road.

A damage evaluation team deployed to the Newark area on Friday found that the tornado began in the Salem Woods neighborhood, removing roof shingles and stripping siding from several houses. As the system approached White Drive, it drifted north-northwest while continuing to cause minor structural damage.

Tornado Touches Down in Christiana / Newark Delaware — CAMJAM123BEAMSCEOGEO-FS

The twister then crossed Old Baltimore Pike into The Oaks neighborhood, where inspectors observed additional minor roof and siding issues. Moving onward into Timber Farms and Norwegian Woods, the system uprooted trees and impacted multiple residences.

The storm reached its peak intensity in Chapman Woods. Wind speeds hit 100 mph, snapping large trees along their trunks and blowing in windows across multiple properties, according to the National Weather Service report.

Delaware Tornado Was EF-1 — Daily Weather Report and Global Weather Network

The tornado then crossed Chapman Road, knocking down a sign at the Sonesta Suites hotel that fell onto two vehicles. Continuing its path, the system crossed Interstate 95 and overturned a semi-truck.

The twister then moved directly onto the property of Christiana Hospital, damaging a helipad and two hospital helicopters. One aircraft was rotated 90 degrees while the other sustained damage to its rotors, according to security camera footage reviewed by weather officials.

A ChristianaCare spokesperson said Friday that the facility will construct a temporary helipad and bring in cranes to remove the damaged helicopters so they can be inspected and repaired.

No injuries were reported during the severe weather event. The same November storm system also generated a separate EF-1 tornado in Chesterfield, New Jersey, the National Weather Service confirmed.