Tornadoes Touch Down in Carroll County (Update 4/17 11 p.m.)

Update Sunday at 11 p.m.

Experts from the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado hit north of Westminster near Union Mills Saturday evening, according to Fox45 News. 

The tornado damaged homes and properties and downed trees in the Union Mills area.The National Weather Service reported that the tornado was an EF0 (Enhanced Fujita Scale), according according to Fox45 News.

The National Weather Service uses the EF scale to assign a tornado a 'rating' based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. A rating of EF0 indicates that wind gusts were between 65-85 miles per hour. 

Story as originally reported Saturday night:

There are reports of two possible tornado touchdowns in Carroll County Saturday evening between 8 p.m and 9 p.m. As of 10:15 p.m., the Tornado Watch for Carroll County expired, according to the National Weather Service. 

Carroll County was pummeled by high winds and downpours for much of the day. Carroll County Public Information Officer Cindy Parr confirmed that there were several reports of tornado touchdowns in the County, including one on Arbor Drive in Manchester. 

"A tree fell on a house and caused enough damage that the family had to be displaced. The Red Cross is assisting the family for the night," Parr said. 

Parr said that there are reports of a second possible tornado touchdown off Rt. 97 near Bartholow Road in the Eldersburg area. She said that emergency personnel are in transit to the scene. 

There are also reports of transformer problems in the Union Mills area, Parr said.

At 10:30 p.m. Saturday, the Sheriff's Department confirmed that there are many road closures throughout the county as a result of several tornadoes going through the area. Parts of Littlestown Pike (Rt. 97) are closed, including at Green Meadow Lane, as a result of severe storm damage. There are reports of numerous utility poles split and down or leaning.  

Baltimore Gas and Electric reported in a news release that it was mobilizing more than 300 linemen, contractors and support personnel to respond to power outages caused by the storm. 

The severe weather and flood warnings will end by 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Rain will continue into the overnight but taper off and Sunday is expected to be partly sunny and breezy with a high near 61 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.