Deadly Stafford County tornado rated EF2

The tornado that killed a Stafford County woman and her son late Tuesday afternoon has been rated an EF2 by the National Weather Service.

The tornado touched down about about 5 p.m. just more than two miles east-southeast of the junction of K-19 and US 281. It moved north-northwest, growing to almost one-third of a mile wide and maximum winds of 120 miles an hour.

The tornado crossed US 281 about two miles south of the Barton County line, badly damaging a house and ripping up several trees and outbuildings. One large cottonwood was ripped out by its roots and thrown onto the Ford Explorer taking refuge from the storm underneath the tree’s branches.

Sharon Gleason, 56, and her 17-year-old son Jeffrey, were killed. A sister, 21-year-old Kristin, was injured.

The tornado was on the ground for more than 12 miles before it lifted about two miles inside Barton County.

This story was originally published May 27, 2011 at 2:56 PM with the headline "Deadly Stafford County tornado rated EF2."