Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, May 26, 2011

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and utility wires near Mt. Carmel.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph produced minor structural damage in Chambersberg.

Large hail ranged in size between 1-2 inch diameter.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in Mercersburg.

Spotter measured a wind gust of 60 mph near Greencastle.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down several trees near Prince Gallitzen State Park.

A NWS survey team determined that a tornado briefly touched down in the New Franklin area of Franklin County. The tornado touched down just east of Route 316 in a heavily wooded area. Most of the damage was confined to one residential address along Route 316 were more than two dozen large pine trees were snapped off or uprooted. Based on damage indicators, softwood trees, maximum winds were estimated at 90 mph, giving the tornado an EF1 classification.

The tornado damage was located on the southern edge of a much larger area of downburst wind damage which extended from just west of Route 81 in the Marion area eastward through Brownsville.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous large branches in Chambersburg.

Thunderstorm winds estimated between 60 and 80 mph blew over a tractor trailer on I-81 near the Wayne Rd exit.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph produced structural damage near Cove Mills.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees and utility wires in several communities surrounding Cove Mills.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees near Clearfield.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees just east of Shippensburg Airport. A falling tree injured a man at the intersection of Strohm and Sand Bank Roads.

Half-dollar size hail (1.25 inch diameter) was reported in Walnut Bottom via the NSSL SHAVE Project.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees in Driftwood.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down several 6-inch diameter trees near Carlisle.

Spotter estimated thunderstorm winds near 60 mph with trees down.

A NWS survey team confirmed a tornado in Cumberland County north of Hogestown as a result from the storms of May 26th. The tornado touched down near Route 144 south of Willow Mill Park around 710 pm EDT and traveled northeast for about 2.5 miles...occasionally lifting off the ground during it's lifetime. The tornado crossed Interstate 81, before ending near Sears Run before reaching Route 944. The tornado mainly resulted in about 100 trees being uprooted or snapped. Many of the trees were oaks and other hardwoods. Some minor damage to homes was also observed, mainly from the falling trees. A small outbuilding was severely damaged along Lambs Gap Road near the end of the tornado path. There were no injuries or fatalities.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees near Fairfield.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees near Renovo.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees near Enola.

A NWS survey team confirmed a tornado which began in eastern Perry County, and crossed the Susquehanna River into western Dauphin County. The tornado touched down north of Route 850 in Perry County, between VFW Drive and Mountaindale Drive. The tornado tracked to the northeast, lifting occasionally as it moved across eastern Perry County and eventually to the Susquehanna River. The path indicated the tornado lifted and touched down several times. Damage was limited mainly to over 100 trees, which were snapped and uprooted. Photographic evidence helped in making the tornado declaration.

After crossing the Susquehanna River, the tornado touched down again in Dauphin Borough. Examination of the damage here indicated the tornado touched down again about one quarter mile east of Dauphin Borough on River Road. The tornado continued east about 1.5 miles...generally following Hillside Road...and dissipating as it began to climb Second Mountain. Six homes suffered moderate to major damage, and 150 trees were downed. Storm damage was consistent with maximum winds of around 90 mph. There were no injuries or fatalities.

In addition to the tornadic damage, downburst/straight line wind damage was noted at least 1.5 miles to the west of Dauphin Borough along the river, and in eastern Perry County, also near the Susquehanna River.

Straight-line thunderstorm winds estimated near 80 mph produced damage to the west of an EF1 tornado path near Dauphin Borough. The damage extended from about 1.5 miles west of Dauphin Borough, into the Borough itself. Numerous trees were knocked down immediately along the river.

A NWS survey team confirmed a tornado which began in eastern Perry County, and crossed the Susquehanna River into western Dauphin County. The tornado touched down north of Route 850 in Perry County, between VFW Drive and Mountaindale Drive. The tornado tracked to the northeast, lifting occasionally as it moved across eastern Perry County and eventually to the Susquehanna River. The path indicated the tornado lifted and touched down several times. Damage was limited mainly to over 100 trees, which were snapped and uprooted. Photographic evidence helped in making the tornado declaration.

After crossing the Susquehanna River, the tornado touched down again in Dauphin Borough. Examination of the damage here indicated the tornado touched down again about one quarter mile east of Dauphin Borough on River Road. The tornado continued east about 1.5 miles...generally following Hillside Road...and dissipating as it began to climb Second Mountain. Six homes suffered moderate to major damage, and 150 trees were downed. Storm damage was consistent with maximum winds of around 90 mph. There were no injuries or fatalities.

In addition to the tornadic damage, downburst/straight line wind damage was noted at least 1.5 miles to the west of Dauphin Borough along the river, and in eastern Perry County, also near the Susquehanna River.

A NWS survey team confirmed that a tornado occurred during the evening of May 26th near Slate Run in Lycoming County. The tornado touched down about 1.5 miles south-southwest of Slate Run near State Route 414 and moved northeast through Slate Run to about one half mile south of Cedar Run near Pine Creek. About 400 trees were damaged or destroyed and several seasonal homes were affected by the downed trees. Additionally, there were multiple trees down throughout the area as a result of straight line winds from the thunderstorm. Damage indicators implied winds around 100 mph. There were no injuries or fatalities.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Mechanicsburg.

A NWS survey team confirmed a tornado near Cammal in Lycoming County the evening of May 26th. The tornado touched down northwest of the town of Cammal near Pine Creek and State Route 414 and moved to the northeast to near Mill Run Road about 2 miles north of Cammal. About 200 trees were damaged or destroyed. Several seasonal homes were affected by downed trees. Additionally, there were multiple trees down throughout the area as a result of straight line winds from the thunderstorm. Damage indicators implies winds around 95mph. There were no injuries or fatalities.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and utility wires near Camp Hill.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down utility wires and produced minor structural damage northeast of Dauphin in Middle Paxton Township.

Spotter estimated thunderstorm winds near 60 mph with nickel size hail.

Thunderstorm winds estimated between 75 and 80 mph produced widespread tree damage near Oregon Hill. The storm damage was visible from PA 287 on Oregon Hill in Pine Township about 3 miles south of the Tioga County border. There was a swath of large trees down in a general west to east direction on both sides of the road for about a half mile. These downed trees continued deep into the woods on both sides of the road. The surveyed evidence was strongly indicative of downburst straight-line wind damage.

Intense rainfall brought flash flooding to the Chambersburg area. Several roads were closed and one water rescue was performed in which two people were trapped in flash flood waters in Chambersburg. The pair attempted to drive through a flooded area of Commerce Drive in Hamilton Township when they became stuck in water that covered the hood. They were rescued without injury.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees along PA 295.

Thunderstorm winds estimated between 75 and 80 mph knocked down dozens of large trees and produced minor damage to several residential homes in Blossburg. Very large trees up to 5 feet in diameter were uprooted and fell in Island Park, near a crowd of 2,000 participants attending the Tioga County Coal Festival. The downed trees fell on vendor booths and cars causing widespread damage and multiple injuries. There were no fatalities.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down several trees along US 322.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph produced minor to moderate structural damage near York city.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Dover.

Thunderstorm winds estimated between 75 and 80 mph knocked down several large trees and produced damage to baseball field structures at Mansfield University. A portion of a roof to an occupied dormitory was blown off. The downed trees were position in a southwest-to-northeast orientation suggesting straight-line downburst winds.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Hughsville.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph snapped off trees near East Prospect.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees across west-central Lebanon County.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees across west-central Lebanon County.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and utility wires near Lebanon city.

Thunderstorm winds estimated between 75 and 80 mph produced substantial tree damage from near Jackson Summit northeastward along PA 328 through Millerton. The downed trees impacted some residential homes and other structures in Millerton. The orientation of the trees was strongly indicative of downburst straight-line winds.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down several trees near Forksville.

A NWS survey team confirmed a long-track EF1 tornado via PSP helicopter in Schuylkill County. The EF1 tornado occurred during the late evening on 26 May 2011 between 2020-2045 EDT. The tornado touched down about one-half mile west of Cressona in North Manheim Township along Beaver Creek Road. The tornado produced a sporadic path of damage spanning approximately 17 miles, lifting and touching down several times before finally dissipating about 1 mile northeast of Kepner in West Penn Township. Approximately 20 residential homes were damaged, 4 of which suffered major damage. In addition, 12 barns and outbuildings were damaged. The tornado downed more than 1000 trees, with the bulk of the damage occurring to the east of Schuylkill Haven north of Route 443 through North Manheim, West Brunswick and East Brunswick Townships. Significant tree damage was also observed in Connor and Hecla. The damage indicators surveyed were consistent with winds of 110 mph and a tornado rating of a strong EF1. There were no injuries or fatalities.

Quarter size (1-inch diameter) hail was reported in Minersville.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Tamaqua.

Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Snyders. This damage was associated with downburst straight-line winds at the end of an EF1 tornado track that ended near Kepner.