April 27th and 28th, 2011 Severe Weather and Tornadoes

Summary:

A brief EF0 tornado skipped across southwest Potter County during the evening hours of 27 April 2011. Field surveys conducted by the NWS in State College and Potter County Emergency Management officials revealed that damaged caused by the tornado was minimal, only knocking down scattered to isolated trees along a two mile path. Due to lack of images and well-defined damage path, it is possible this tornado touch downed briefly in several locations. 

Summary:

The NWS in State College confirmed an EF1 tornado near Broad Top City in southern Huntingdon County. The tornado produced sporadic damage. Numerous pine trees were uprooted along the 3-4 mile path, and two houses sustained minor damage. The damage indicators observed during the storm were consistent of wind speeds of 85 to 90 mph. 

Summary:

The NWS in State College confirmed an EF1 tornado near East Waterford in Juniata County. The EF1 tornado produced damage on the east side of East Waterford, then skirted northeast along SR 75 producing sporadic damage along a well-defined path from Honey Grove to Seven Pines in Spruce Hill Township. The Hancock farm in Honey Grove sustained significant damage. Numerous tree damage was observed. Two barns damaged along Laurel Run near SR 850 at Burnt Church Road. Additional barns SR 75 suffered minor to moderate roof damage, with roof debris scattered up to 200 yards away from source location. 

Summary:

The EF2 tornado touched-down on the slopes near the main ski lift, then traveled down (northeast) the slop into the parking lot and produced damage to several buildings and destroyed one outbuilding. The tornado knocked down numerous trees as it crossed Roundtop Road and continued to move northeast up the west-side of Pinetown Hill. The strongest winds were observed at the top of Pinetown Hill where a high voltage transmission wire tower was twisted and collapsed. The tornado continued to travel northeast down Pinetown Hill across Pinetown Road, snapping and uprooting trees. Near the end of the 2.5-3 mile track, one tree fell onto a house along Moores Mountain Road and destroyed a portion of the house. 

Summary:

The EF1 tornado first produced damage just west of South Lingle Avenue (SR 3017) near West Pajabon Drive and proceeded along a 2 mile path northeast of the Palmyra Shopping Center along East Main Street (U.S 422). Most of the damage indicators surveyed were associated with 75 to 85 mph winds, but a collapsed top floor of a house on 621 E. Main Street along with significant damage to an automobile dealership across the street supported maximum winds near 90mph. 

Summary:

The EF2 tornado first produced damage near the intersection of Reeds Creek Road and Jonestown Road about a half-mile west of Ono or about 2 miles east of Harpers Tavern. The wind damage to trees in the valley parallel to Reeds Creek Road was extensive with many snapped or downed trees and utility poles. The 1 mile tornado path continued northeast crossed just north of I-81. In addition, two farms, a field warehouse and few residences sustained significant damage on a knoll just east of Reeds Creek Road. A pair of high tension towers were also knocked down with considerable damage visible from Reeds Creek Road. One cow was injured. In total, 4 homes suffered minor to moderate damage and 6 farm buildings were either damaged or destroyed. The damage indicators observed during the storm survey, particularly the damage of the high tension wire towers was consistent with 115mph.