Tornadoes of May 23rd, 2011.

Summary:

The tornado laid a pattern in a hay field before crossing Kellerville Road where it toppled a concrete silo which fell on and obliterated a cow barn, killing 7 dairy cows. The house south of the barn at 1332 Kellerville Road had the entire roof and attic portion blown off and was shifted on its foundation. Several outbuildings and sheds on the property were obliterated. The debris and tornado moved southeastward with visible tree damage on the hill. The tornado did considerable damage to a hamlet along Evendale Hill Road.The tornado continued to the east, snapping trees and causing minor to moderate damage to other houses and outbuildings along the path. Older sheds and farm outbuildings along this track sustained major damage or were destroyed. Near the end of its track, the tornado tore apart a garage attached to a recently built house at 2787 Seven Stars Road. The house itself was also shifted on its foundation. The resident of this home heard a loud noise and witnessed the tornado in the valley heading towards him and took cover. The tornado dissipated to the east of this home, in a wooded area to the west of Peanut Road. Overall, this tornado produced an approximate 4.7-mile-long swath of nearly continuous damage. Damage across the tornado’s track indicated that winds were in excess of 100mph, likely between 115 and 130mph. This makes the Kellerville tornado an EF2 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Fortunately, there were no deaths or injuries sustained during this storm.

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.

Summary:

The tornado was embedded in a larger area of downburst winds, which extended approximately two miles farther to the east, crossing Catawissa Road. Damage caused by the tornado was mainly confined to a wooded area, snapping or toppling about 25 trees. The tornado appeared to dissipate on the property along Kettle Road. Here, a large awning/roof was removed from a home. A barn was completely leveled. Across Kettle Road, another home lost portions of it's roof from the wind. Moderate damage to the house was also sustained from flying debris from the collapsed barn across the road. The downburst winds next encountered a home and several barns along Catawissa Road over a mile to the east. Significant roofing loss was noted at two barns on the west side of Catawissa Road, and one on the east side of Catawissa Road.