Sunday night’s storms produced tornadoes in at least three Pennsylvania counties, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS confirmed tornadoes in Union County, Warren County and Columbia County as of Tuesday morning, with officials still surveying damage in other areas. All information is preliminary.
Union County tornado
In Union County, which is south of Williamsport in central Pennsylvania, an EF-1 tornado hit around 12:35 a.m. Monday, according to the NWS.
The path was estimated at 1.75 miles long. The weather service has not yet given an estimate for the tornado’s maximum wind speed or path width. No injuries were reported.
Damage in East Buffalo Township, Union County, included trees uprooted and snapped and a barn destroyed at Buffalo Valley United Methodist Church. There was also damage along Buffalo Road. Several homes sustained minor damage, and some barns had their roofs blown off, the NWS reported.
Warren County tornado
An EF-2 tornado struck Starbrick in Warren County, which is near Erie. The tornado hit around 8:18 to 8:35 p.m. Sunday with estimated max wind speeds of 130 mph and a maximum path width of 400 yards. The tornado’s path measured 16 miles, the weather service reported.
No injuries have been reported.
According to the National Weather Service:
“The tornado initially touched down in Pleasant Township near Lenhart Road and strengthened as it tracked northeast through Starbrick. The tornado reached peak intensity and produced the most significant damage (and strongest winds) in Starbrick. The Carter Lumber Company sustained extensive damage along with several other nearby buildings. The tornado continued northeast with fluctuating intensity through North Warren (Conewango Twp.) resulting in several downed trees and damage to residential homes. damage continued northeast through Scandia where a communications tower was knocked down. The tornado weakened as it moved north-northeast and produced final damage at Blueberry Hill Golf Course near Lounsbury Corners.”
Columbia County tornado
An EF-1 tornado struck Benton in Columbia County, north of the Bloomsburg-Berwick area, around 1 to 1:08 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The estimated max wind speed was 110 mph with a path length of 2.5 miles. Two injuries were reported, but no fatalities, the NWS said.
From the National Weather Service:
“The tornado started near the intersection of O Roy Rd and Distillery Hill Rd and continued NE into the town of Benton. Nine trailers off of Everett street sustained significant damage. additionally, about a dozen homes and businesses were impacted by the tornado. one well-constructed home had its roof completely blown off. The tornado continued northeast before lifting near Mill Race Golf Course.
There were several trees down southwest of the estimated tornado track, which were more characteristic of straight line wind damage. These results are preliminary and will be updated if new information becomes available.
Other damage
The National Weather Service will survey damage in Montour and Sullivan counties Tuesday. Damage was also reported in the Millersburg and Elizabeth area of Dauphin County.
by Matt Eyer (2019, Apr 15 | Updated 2019, Apr 16) York Daily Record
