Summary:
The Winfield tornado touched down west of 165 Grover Road. Damage was primarily snapped and uprooted trees. The tornado moved down the hill crossing US-15 and River Breeze Avenue before moving over the Susquehanna River. Tree damage along River Breeze road caused damage to two homes, and trees were snapped on the south end of an island near the east shore of the river.
The tornado moved through a campground north of Ferry Road downing and uprooting trees in the camp ground. The trees damaged several camper vans and a pavilion before crossing a field and moving up the hill. Strong southerly inflow ahead of the tornado damaged five homes along Route 147. Leaves plastered to these houses implied strong southerly and easterly winds. Aluminum siding on the southern side of the several houses was dented and the winds blew out the west wall of garage of another house, which had its south facing garage doors left open during the storm. Another home closer to the river also sustained damage to the roof, chimney, and exterior walls. In this same area, utility poles were downed and snapped.
Tree damage and minor damage was sustained by sustained at two homes to the north of the more heavily damaged homes. Throughout the damage swath, most trees fell from southwest to northeast, and fewer fell from the south. Several outbuildings west of Route 147, including one two-story cinderblock shed, were destroyed by the tornado. Roofing debris from these outbuildings was found in adjacent properties and in an open field across Route 147. Some of this debris was also found embedded several inches into nearby trees. The tornado dissipated up the hill, perhaps 200 yards east of the power line easement.
There were several eyewitnesses, and most had taken shelter. One eyewitness living near the corner of Route 147 and Ferry Road watched the wind move northward, heard the roar of the storm and watched a white cloud pass to his north over the homes. Witnesses indicated the tornado occurred between approximately 530 and 535 PM. One cat died from injuries sustained during the storm, but no people were injured.
Overall, the Winfield tornado tracked for roughly 1.2 miles and was as wide as two property lines at its widest point. Damage indicated that winds within the tornado were of EF1 intensity on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
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