The Laurel Hill State Park Tornado

...NWS Damage Survey for 07/29/21 Tornado in Laurel Hill State Park...

The National Weather Service in collaboration with Somerset County
Emergency Management confirms an EF-1 tornado occurred within Laurel
Hill State Park from approximately 2:25 PM EDT through 2:28 PM EDT on
Thursday, July 29, 2021.

.Laurel Hill State Park Tornado...

Rating: EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind: 102 mph
Path Length /statute/: 0.2 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 65 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Date: July 29, 2021
Start Time: 2:25 PM EDT
Start Location: North of Laurel Hill Park Drive, Laurel Hill SP
Start Lat/Lon: 40.0099/-79.2367

End Date: July 29, 2021
End Time: 2:28 PM EDT
End Location: East of Laurel Hill Park Drive, Laurel Hill SP
End Lat/Lon: 40.0079/-79.2338

A tornado developed within Laurel Hill State Park during the afternoon hours
of Thursday, July 29, 2021. Somerset County Emergency Management conducted a
thorough damage survey, consisting of photos from the ground along with photos
and videos from a drone. The tornado began just north of Laurel Hill Park
Drive and continued on a southeast track through a portion of the park containing
several conservation buildings. Numerous trees were uprooted in various directions,
while a few were also snapped, resulting in damage to some of the conservation buildings.
Estimated maximum winds reached 102 mph as the tornado tracked through this portion of the
park, before turning to the east and producing additional tree damage east of Laurel Hill
Park Drive. Additionally, several videos of the tornado were sent in to the NWS from media
partners and storm spotters. Farther west on Laurel Hill Park road, near the intersection
with Buck Run Road, scattered unidirectional wind damage was found in association with the
rear flank downdraft of the tornado.


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EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$