Tornado tears through Dover, Delaware, leaving significant damage, prompting state of emergency

11:03

Confirmed tornado spins through Dover, Delaware

A confirmed PDS tornado was reported in Dover, Delaware, as FOX Weather Meteorologist Steve Bender analyzes the radar, with millions across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast under the threat of severe weather through Thursday night.

DOVER, Delaware – A tornado ripped through Dover just after 6 p.m. Thursday, prompting a state of emergency in Delaware’s capital as officials reported widespread damage across the city.

At approximately 6:18 p.m., the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly confirmed a large and extremely dangerous tornado over Dover Speedway as severe weather lashed much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

01:46

Severe storm shows rotation as it approaches Dover

A severe storm begins showing signs of rotation just after 6 p.m. southwest of Dover in Kent County, Delaware. At 6:18 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a confirmed tornado warning for Dover, as reports of significant damage began coming in from the Delaware capital, with a timelapse of the video highlighting the storm’s rotation.

The Dover Police Department announced a state of emergency for the city as of 6:20 p.m., citing "significant damage" across parts of Dover.

Downed trees in Dover, Delaware, on Aug. 20 after a confirmed tornado ripped through the Kent County. 

(Mike Schmidt)

Significant tree damage across the city knocked out power, with officials reporting widespread outages and numerous intersections where traffic signals were not functioning, creating extremely dangerous travel conditions.

"If you are out sightseeing, checking out the damage, or doing anything that is not absolutely necessary — YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM," the Dover Police Department wrote on Facebook.  "Every unnecessary vehicle on the road makes it harder and more dangerous for emergency crews to get where they need to be and prevents us from helping people who actually need assistance."

First responders and emergency crews worked throughout the city to clear debris.

NWS Mount Holly issued a particularly dangerous situation tornado warning after a large and extremely dangerous tornado was confirmed over Dover Speedway in Dover at 6:18 p.m. The tornado was moving northeast at 30 mph, with damage already reported in Dover.

(FOX Weather)

According to the Dover Police Department, damage was reported along the Division Street and Lockerman Street corridor and parts of North DuPont Highway.

Images from Dover show structural damage along Route 13, with debris scattered across the area and emergency personnel responding near the Super Lodge and Days Inn.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, radar showed a large debris signature directly over Delaware’s capital city, home to more than 40,000 people.