Tornado hits Salt Lake City Wed Aug 11 1999

Update 04:55 CST 08/11/99 - Latest Report

Latest reports say 1 confirmed death over 100 injured. Tornado appears to have been an F2 with winds over 100 mph.

First Report 03:18 CST 8/11/99 (This report will be updated as more news comes in from the area)

4 reported dead after tornado hits Salt Lake City

A rare tornado blew through the west side of downtown Salt Lake City early Wednesday afternoon, destroying an outdoor tent that had been set up as part of a convention. CNN affiliate KSL-TV, quoting fire department officials, reported that four people had been killed and a number of others injured. The injured were being taken by ambulance and helicopter to a number of local hospitals. A spokeswoman at the University of Utah Hospital said they had been notified of injuries but no victims had arrived yet. The tornado struck in an area on the west side of downtown near the Delta Center, home of the NBA's Utah Jazz, and a convention center. Windows were also blown out of a nearby hotel. The sudden funnel cloud was the first tornado to strike Utah's capital since 1968, KUTV reported.