A third tornado touched down on Cape Cod last Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service — an announcement that came a day after emergency officials said most debris had been cleared from last week’s storm.

The tornado occurred in West Yarmouth around noon, and had an estimated max wind speed of 90 miles per hour and a path width of 50 yards, the weather service said early Monday evening.

“Based on additional information provided by TV meteorologists, residents, and Skywarn amateur radio, the National Weather Service has determined that there was an additional tornado in West Yarmouth on July 23,’’ officials wrote. “This brief and narrow tornado was on the ground at the same time as another [previously reported] tornado … was moving toward South Yarmouth.’’


The tornado touched down on Yacht Avenue and Schooner Street before traveling east for about one quarter of a mile. It lifted on Egg Harbor Road, officials said.

There were no fatalities or injuries reported, weather service officials said.

“Numerous pine trees were snapped near their bases. Tree tops appeared twisted. Residents reported seeing swirling motion,’’ they wrote. “This tornado was only on the ground for one minute, between noon and 12:01 p.m. It lifted as it approached the south end of the Bass River.’’

Previously, the weather service reported that two other tornadoes had touched down in the Tuesday storm — one in Harwich, the other in Yarmouth. Those tornadoes had wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour, felling trees and power lines and tearing the roof of a motel at the height of the summer tourist season.

The three tornadoes mark quite the milestone for the area: Before those hit, there were only three other tornadoes ever documented on Cape Cod — one in Woods Hole in October 2018, one at Hyannis/Barnstable Airport in August 1977, and one near Sandwich in August 1968, officials said.

On Sunday, in its 26th and final situational awareness statement on the twisters, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said that approximately 80 percent of Harwich had been cleared of debris.


“The town anticipates utilizing local mutual aid, DOC assistance and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office to finalize clean-up,’’ MEMA said.

In Yarmouth, the statement said, “[a]pproximately 80-90% of the town debris removal is complete,’’ and the town “anticipates several weeks of town and contractor work to finalize clean-up.’’

In addition, MEMA said 90 percent of Dennis “has been cleared, with smaller roads remaining.’’

“There have been a total of 22 resource requests for this event,’’ MEMA said, adding that on Sunday, “a total of 132 personnel and 90 pieces of heavy equipment assisted Harwich and Yarmouth with debris removal operations.’’

In a separate Facebook message Sunday, Yarmouth town officials said residents will continue to get free dumpng this week from the Yarmouth Disposal Area on Forest Road. The Cape Sands Inn in Yarmouth lost its roof as the tornadoes tore through the Cape last Tuesday.

“Due to the overwhelming debris disposal needs of residents and heavy traffic at the Yarmouth Disposal Area, free disposal of storm debris for residents at the Yarmouth Disposal Area (606 Forest Road) has been extended through the close of business on Saturday, August 3rd,’’ the Town of Yarmouth said Sunday via Facebook.

And more lousy weather could be in the offing this week in Massachusetts, albeit nothing on the order of the Cape twisters, according to the National Weather Service.

“Hot and humid weather is expected today with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms developing this afternoon,’’ the weather service said in a Monday morning advisory. “Hot and humid weather continues on Tuesday, but any afternoon showers and thunder-storms should be rather isolated and confined to the interior. Scattered showers and thunderstorms Wednesday exiting early Thursday. Looking dry Friday into the weekend but by early next week a return of heat and humidity along with shower and thunderstorm chances.’’