Several readers of MassLive submitted photos of the tornado and its aftermath
SPRINGFIELD - As a funnel cloud appeared on the horizon and began cutting a swath through Hampden County, the first thought for most was to seek shelter. For some, the second thought was 'Where's my cell phone?'
Readers throughout the area submitted photos with the cell phones of the tornado and its aftermath to MassLive.com. Their pictures appear in the enclosed photo gallery.
Luke Rottman submitted a photo of a funnel cloud across the UMass campus
Jim Feroli of Westfield shot a picture of the funnel cloud in Westfield while he was in traffic on Route 20.
Richard Sanderson, the curator of Physical Science for the Springfield Science Museum, was at the main branch of the Springfield post office on Liberty Street, when he saw the funnel cloud swerling past Tower Square, which he calls by its former name of Baystate West, at around 4:45 p.m.
"I could see a huge cloud of swirling debris approach from the west, and then the tornado curved behind Baystate West as it headed for the South End," he said. "Some people were screaming and running into the Post Office building, while others just stood there staring at the sky. Within minutes, the streets in downtown Springfield were clogged with cars as ambulances, police cars and fire engines were racing in various directions."
Joel McAuliffe of Chicopee waited for the storm to pass and then went out to look at the damage. He submitted several pictures taken with his iPhone of the Memorial Bridge, and parts of West Springfield.
McAuliffe, who once had an internship with MassLive, said it was pretty clear immediately that the storm and its damage was big news and he wanted to go out and document it.