In some cases it snapped trees off close to the ground.

In others it seemed to swoop down from above, lick up a patch of trees bodily and carry them clean away, leaving the surrounding trees untouched.

Sometimes it would select a tree of thirty years growth, seize it, spin it round, and leave it a permanent spiral screw.

I was in these regions about the time, and had the account from a native who had gone through it all and couldn't speak of it except with glaring eyeballs and gasping breath.
"About midnight of the 28th the gale was at its worst.

Darkness that could be felt between the flashes of lightning.