'Pretty surreal moment': Tornado spotted during Spokane baseball game
Brian Stern and his sons watched as a tornado formed near the field
Baseball fans were in for more than just peanuts and Cracker Jack at Friday’s Spokane Indians game as a tornado was spotted near the field.
Brian Stern and his sons were in a covered area when they noticed a funnel coming out of the sky.
"Lightning started, and [I] noticed the circulation in the clouds," Stern said. "My boys noticed it as well."
They watched as the tornado formed near the field.
Tornado spotted during Spokane baseball game
Brian Stern and his sons were attending the Spokane Indians game when they saw a tornado near the field.
"It was a pretty surreal moment," he said.
The National Weather Service in Spokane said two tornadoes formed in the area one that one touched down near I-90. They received reports of trees down and two trailers flipped.
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"Tornadoes are not something you usually associate with Spokane," Stern said.
And he’s right.
"On average, the state of Washington will see one to two tornadoes per year," NWS Spokane says.
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Image 1 of 7May 6, 2022 – Tornado causes damage in Spokane. (Spokane Valley Fire Dept. )
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Image 2 of 7May 6, 2022 – Tornado causes damage in Spokane. (Spokane Valley Fire Dept. )
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Image 3 of 7May 6, 2022 – Tornado causes damage in Spokane. (Spokane Valley Fire Dept. )
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Image 4 of 7May 6, 2022 – Tornado causes damage in Spokane. (Spokane Valley Fire Dept. )
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Image 5 of 7May 6, 2022 – Tornado causes damage in Spokane. (Spokane Valley Fire Dept. )
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Image 6 of 7May 6, 2022 – Tornado causes damage in Spokane. (Spokane Valley Fire Dept. )
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Image 7 of 7May 6, 2022 – Tornado causes damage in Spokane. (Spokane Valley Fire Dept. )
The NWS believes Friday's two tornadoes were the first in Spokane County since August 9, 2016.
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Stern and his boys say that while there was a rain delay for the field, he was disappointed that there wasn’t a warning for tornadoes.
"There was no announcement, no alerts on phones, etc," Stern said. "That part was rather unsettling."
The NWS issued a Special Weather Statement for strong thunderstorms in the area, but Stern says the field made no mention.
"Would have been nice to have a couple of minutes warning," he said. "Now I understand why a few minutes makes a difference."
His kids were pretty shaken up after seeing the funnel, but Stern used it as a learning moment.
"It was a good teaching point. How to maintain your cool and collective in a chaotic situation," Stern says. "Gotta get those leadership traits going and how to be safe."