Four tornados confirmed in Central Pennsylvania, including EF-2 in Huntingdon County

[00:00:00]Our region is still recovering and cleaning up after severe storms over the weekend, but now we're learning more severe weather is on the way. That's where we begin 6 News at 6. Thank you for joining us. We've got team coverage tonight of confirmed tornadoes in our area. Brock Owens is going to break down some of the damage those storms left, but first we're checking in with meteorologist Joey Walker for a look at what we know and what is on the way.

[00:00:25]Joey?

[00:00:25]>> Yeah, that's correct, Shawn. We actually had quite the weather day on Saturday everybody and well, I've got some information for you. This one I actually did cover on Sunday, but if you missed it, I just wanted to go over it again.

[00:00:37]This would have been on Saturday everybody, July 18th at 8:16 p.m. to 8:18 p.m. We did have a Heltzdale tornado in the Clearfield County region.

[00:00:46]This was an EF1 with peak winds of 110 mph and a path width of about 400 yd.

[00:00:52]Minor structural damage and many down trees were observed with this one in particular. Moving on to our next tornado warned storm, this was actually over in Huntingdon County by Old Mill Road as well as Warriors Mark running parallel with it. Again, this was also on Saturday. All of these were Saturday everybody by the way, July 18th, 8:43 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Path length was just over that of about a half a mile. This one was stronger actually, the strongest out of all of those storms and tornadoes that we had confirmed. This was an EF2, something we don't tend to see here in the region all that often. Peak winds of about 125 mph. Path width was a little bit larger than the others, 500 yd.

[00:01:30]Extensive tree damage was actually observed with this one. Three farm silos were also damaged in addition and there was also actually a tree that fell on a cabin. Thankfully though, no injuries were reported with this or fatalities.

[00:01:43]Now moving on to Jefferson County over in Punxsutawney. This was again 4:44 p.m. to 4:47 p.m. Path length was about 0.22 mi. This was weaker than the others, EF0 peak winds of around 80 mph with a path width very, very short around 75 yards. Damage was actually some to a BMX track as well as some down the trees. And lastly, we had our Clarion County tornado over towards the Summerville region. This actually was over in Clarion and then started to move over towards Jefferson County. This was an EF1 peak winds around 90 miles an hour. Again, this was a rather strong system that we all saw moving from yester Saturday. And once we go into tomorrow, we are going to be seeing more of this kind of weather. I'll show you what to expect coming up in your main forecast in a little bit.

[00:02:31]>> Thanks, Joey. And following those confirmed tornadoes over the weekend, we spoke with the National Weather Service and some of the people impacted. Brock Owens has more about what they experienced and what they're seeing in the aftermath. Brock.

[00:02:45]>> Well, Sean, as Joey already explained, one out of those tornadoes that the National Weather Service is confirming in our area, the strongest of the bunch is an EF2 in the Warriors Mark area that officials say reached winds of about 125 miles per hour. The NWS says after a survey of the area today, they're confirming that the that tornado in Franklin Township around Old Mill Road and traveled about a half mile. We were on scene with lead meteorologist John Banghoff as he did the survey today and he noted many trees being down with some snapped off and others being uprooted.

[00:03:23]He also mentioned a barn roof being blown off along with a several other pieces of damage. Banghoff says this kind of damage is not uncommon for the area, but says this damage serves as a reminder ahead of other expected storms.

[00:03:39]>> So, what we're seeing with all this damage is just a really good reminder that if a tornado warning is issued for your location, we want to make sure that you're taking action immediately and getting into an an interior room on the lowest floor possible. If you got a basement, that's great. If not, find a bathroom or a closet, something away from exterior walls.

[00:03:59]But, that is not the only place that saw storm damage. Now, we're going to look at Woodward Township in Clearfield County.

[00:04:08]Woodward Township had an EF1 tornado, according to the NWS, and officials with the weather service say winds reached up to 110 mph on that storm, knocking down trees and damaging buildings in the area. And we asked one local resident what they saw.

[00:04:26]>> I got an alert on my phone, but before I knew it, my power was out and that tornado was coming through. Um there's a lot of down trees. My chimney was ripped off the house.

[00:04:37]Uh power lines down.

[00:04:40]Um it it was I mean, it just it just seems like it happened so so, you know, so fast.

[00:04:48]>> And once again, these are just two of the four tornadoes that have been confirmed so far in our area over the weekend, and officials remind to take proper precautions when these type of weather warnings are given. Live in the studio, Brock Owens, 6 News.

[00:05:02]>> Thanks, Brock. And in Jefferson County, tornadoes and microbursts affecting parts of the county on Saturday.

[00:05:08]EF0 tornado with maximum winds around 80 mph struck the area near the Adrian ballpark in Punxsutawney.

[00:05:16]The storm caused damage to a BMX track with multiple uprooted small trees.

[00:05:21]High winds related to a microburst hitting the Warsaw Township area near Allen Mills and Gorley Road with winds between 70 and 75 mph. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from any of the storm damage.