CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) — Strong thunderstorms swept across western and central Massachusetts on September 6, causing significant damage and resulting in five confirmed EF1 tornadoes in central Massachusetts.

The tornado warnings initially began in southern Berkshire County and Springfield, but the first tornado did not touch down until it reached Worcester County. The storms were powerful enough to skip a tornado watch and go straight to a warning, a rare occurrence for the region.

"We had a number of eyewitnesses who saw debris or lofted debris, so that was very helpful," said Joseph Dellicarpini, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service uses damage indicators such as the type and extent of damage to trees to assess tornado intensity. "We look at

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