Possible tornado touches down near Lewes

A house in Nassau Station, off Old Orchard and New roads on Crab Apple Lane, received major damage from what preliminary reports indicate was a tornado that touched down around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Other houses in the development and some homes across the street received relatively minor damage.

Many trees were uprooted, and large branches clipped off other trees. In addition, houses were damaged along Country Road, about one mile east of Nassau Station.

Officials said they had no reports the Nassau Station home was occupied when the tornado hit. No injuries were reported.

Witnesses said they saw a funnel cloud; the National Weather Service is investigating to determine if the damage was caused by a tornado.  Sussex County spokesman Chip Guy said preliminary reports indicate a tornado did move through the neighborhood.

Fifteen to 17 residences were damaged.

As of 9 p.m. Saturday, three tornado warnings had been issued in Sussex County. A tornado watch remains in effect until 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.