National Weather Service: South Bend tornado was EF2

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The tornado that touched town in South Bend Sunday evening was an EF-2, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado developed on Cranston Street at 8:38 p.m., then strengthened rather quickly as it crossed US 20.

The reasoning behind the rapid intensification along Ireland Road is because the road sits in a valley. The National Weather Service had this to say: 

"The descent of the tornado into the valley along Ireland Road aided in the rapid intensification of this shallow, low-topped tornadic circulation. This tornado was atypical in that the top of the clouds was less than 18000 feet and did not contain any lightning."

The greatest damage was at the Growing Kids Learning Center on E. Ireland Road right where that intensification occurred.. Damage, some significant, also occurred in the Irish Hills Apartments complex as the tornado began to weaken.

The tornado then continued due north and dissipated along Ewing Road, east of Ironwood.

The tornado traveled 2 miles, had a maximum width of 250 yards and was on the ground for approximately 10 minutes.