Latest Public Information Statement from NWS State College

451
NOUS41 KCTP 192048
PNSCTP
PAZ017-200100-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
448 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2026

...NWS Damage Survey for 07/18/26 Tornado Event...

.Overview...

A damage survey conducted on Sunday July 19th confirmed an EF-1
tornado occurred in Whiteside, PA south of Houtzdale in Clearfield
County on the evening of Saturday July 18, 2026. The tornado
produced extensive damage along Morann Avenue (PA-153), N
Railroad Street, and Hale Rd. Details of the survey follow.

..Houtzdale Tornado...

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph
Path Length /statute/: 1.00 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 400 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Date: 07/18/2026
Start Time: 08:16 PM EDT
Start Location: 2 S Houtzdale / Clearfield County / PA
Start Lat/Lon: 40.7995 / -78.359

End Date: 07/18/2026
End Time: 08:18 PM EDT
End Location: 2 SSE Houtzdale / Clearfield County / PA
End Lat/Lon: 40.7914 / -78.3434

Survey Summary:
Tree damage began near the northwest terminus of Gum Street and
continued east-southeast toward Morann Avenue (PA-153). Several
pine trees were snapped off halfway up between Gum Street and
Hemlock Street along with minor damage to a few structures. Upon
crossing Morann Avenue, the tornado moved across N Railroad street
and continued to produce extensive damage to trees and power
lines. A single wide mobile home and adjacent vehicle were shifted
slightly northeast as winds surged around the south side of the
circulation. Farther northeast toward the intersection of N
Railroad St and Hale Rd, a chimney was ripped off the side of a
house and a couple trees fell northwest/upwind. Seeing trees fall
opposite the direction of the tornado`s motion provided the
confidence to lean toward the upper end of damage indicators,
making this a high-end EF-1 at 110mph.

Remarkably, there was only very minor damage to many of the
structures in the path of this tornado, but extensive snapping of
trees. In particular, the forested area southeast of N Railroad
Street and southwest of Hale Rd suffered extensive tree fall.
Dozens to perhaps hundreds of trees were knocked over and/or
snapped off. The camp owner at the top of the hill at the
southeast edge of the forested area remarked that he could not
previously see the mountain to his northwest. His previously
"shaded" camp now had a much improved view, he said. Again, little
to no damage occurred to any of the structures (campers and a
cabin) at the camp, but extensive tree damage occurred. The
tornado then briefly lifted/stopped producing damage to the
southeast of a hilltop as it crossed an open field. Damage resumed
as the tornado moved back into a forested area along Hale Rd
toward Sonia Ln. Extensive tree and powerline damage was observed
along that stretch with a convergent pattern of tree fall. The
damage became much more sporadic as the circulation crossed
Moshannon Creek, marking the end of the tornado path.

NWS State College would like to send a sincere thanks to
Clearfield County Department of Emergency Services and the
Houtzdale Fire Company for their assistance with today`s survey.
Additional surveys may be conducted in the coming days for this
severe weather event and additional Public Information Statements
will be sent as needed.

&&

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

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

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


$$

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