Strong "Downburst" Blows Through Sunderland

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By CBS 3 Springfield/AP

Story Published: May 10, 2009 at 1:57 PM EST

Story Updated: May 10, 2009 at 7:48 PM EST

SUNDERLAND, Mass. (AP) - Weather forecasters say strong
downburst winds from a severe thunderstorm are what likely blew a
tobacco barn onto a road in the Western Massachusetts town of
Sunderland, but they're not ruling out a possible tornado.

Heavy wind and rain blew through town shortly before 7:30 p.m.
Saturday. Sunderland police patrolman Joshua Harris told The Republican of Springfield that two silos were knocked down and the
barn was smashed to pieces after being blown onto Route 47.

Crews have removed the debris and the highway has reopened. No
injuries were reported, but more than 2,500 utility customers lost
power for a while.

Meteorologist William Babcock of the National Weather Service
says all indications are that the winds were from a downburst, but
there is a chance it was a tornado.

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