Severe Thunderstorms of July 18, 1997

This severe weather event broke the heat wave that the area has experienced for more than a week. Of course for a heat wave, you need three consecutive days of 90+ temperatures. At my house, in Watsontown PA, I recorded 7 straight days with 90+ temperatures, with one day reaching 100 degrees. Dew points (a measure of humidity) were high much of the time, making heat indexes soar over 100. 2 dozen people died as a result of the heat, with triple that amount injured. With the approach of the cold front on the 18th, conditions were right for severe thunderstorms.

PA and surrounding areas were in a slight risk of severe thunderstorms, which was appropriate for the coverage of the thunderstorms. SPC issued two severe thunderstorm watches during the course of the afternoon.

The following paragraphs will give a description of the damage from this event, starting in NY (mainland), then continuing to OH, PA, NJ, and Long Island.

Damage in mainland NY--

Trees and powerlines were down across several counties. Counties reporting trees & lines down include: Herkimer, Hamilton, Warren, Fulton, Saratoga, Washington, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Jefferson, Allegany, Lewis, Niagara, Erie, Orleans, and Genesee. In Erie county, a thunderstorm wind gust was recorded at 74 mph. In Wilton, Saratoga county, an 80 foot pine tree fell on and crushed the corner of a house. Lightning struck a few buildings, resulting in fire. Hail also caused significant crop damage in Niagara & Orleans counties. Apple, peach, pear, and cherry crops suffered the most, with half a million dollars in damage/destruction resulting. Hail sizes ranged from dime to quarter size in most of the damaged areas, but there was one report of golf-ball size hail.

Damage in OH--

Several counties reported wind damage in Ohio. A 75 mph thunderstorm gust was recorded in Stratton (Jefferson county). A house was severely damaged by a falling tree in Wellsville, Columbiana county. In Marion county, numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds as high as 60 mph. A mother and daughter were struck by a falling tree limb and were sent to the hospital. A roof was blown off a barn in Sandusky county, and a house was hit by lightning. In other areas, several trailers/campers were overturned, a grain bin was destroyed, two barns were severely damaged, two more were moderately damaged, a three car garage was moved one foot off its foundation, and countless trees and powerlines were down. A couple houses suffered considerable damage from falling trees.

Damage in PA--

Washington, Allegheny, and Westmoreland counties: Severe thunderstorms caused widespread wind damage across these three counties. Trees and/or powerlines were downed in Claysville, Washington, Murrysville, 4 miles south of Greensburg, Saltsburg, Baldwin, 1 mile north of Superior, Dormont, Derry, Brentwood, McKeesport, Mt Pleasant, Greentree, Pleasant Hills, Beallsville, Prosperity, and between New Derry and Bradenville. Some of the trees that were downed were large, and a few roads were blocked. A few billboards were blown down between Claysville and Washington. In Claysville, a roof was blown off a house by the thunderstorm winds. Also, two plate glass windows were blown out of the Air National Guard base at the Pittsburgh International airport, where a 61 mph thunderstorm gust was recorded. Nickel size hail was reported 3 miles southwest of Washington, 3 miles southwest of the Pittsburgh International airport, and at the Air National Guard base located at the Pittsburgh International airport. Quarter size hail was reported in southern sections of Pittsburgh city. Lightning struck at least three structures; 1) a barn 1 mile west of New Stanton was destroyed by the fire, as was its contents. 2) a power station in Dravosburg was also struck, causing 20,000 homes to lose power. 3) in Derry, a mobile home was struck, burning it to the ground.

Cameron, Potter and Mckean counties: An F0 tornado touched down in southwest Potter county (outside of Wharton), damaging trees between Montour and Trout Run roads, along a 2 mile long path. Thunderstorm wind also downed trees and powerlines in Roulette, Emporium, and Crosby. Dime size hail fell in Port Allegany.

Clinton county: Thunderstorm winds took down many trees in North Bend, Renovo, Rauchtown, and Avis. Also, the NWS confirmed an F1 tornado, initially touching down about 1 mile west of Woolrich, then traveling 3.5 miles south southeast, crossing Crestmont, jumping over the Susquehanna river, and ending in the McElhattan area. The width was rather wide... up to 1/2 mile at times. Damage started as soon as the tornado touched down just west of Woolrich, where a frame house had >90% of its roof torn off. Just west of Crestmont, a nursery and greenhouse were partially destroyed at the Hillcrest Farms. The nursery, which had its roof taken off (among other damage), was apparently a wood frame structure. 12 homes received damage, and a barn was completely destroyed. Throughout this damage path, on both sides of the Susquehanna river, thousands of trees were snapped or uprooted... by a combination of both downburst and tornadic winds. At least one flag pole was bent. Hail also was reported to have damaged corn crops in the area.

Lycoming, Union, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties: The same thunderstorm that spawned the tornado in Clinton county continued to move southeast into Union county... spawning two more tornadoes. The first, rated an F0, was produced a few yards over the Clinton/Union county border, in a remote part of extreme northwest Union county, where only forest existed. It downed a number of trees along Zimmerman road, one of the only roads in that area. The second tornado was produced 1 mile north of Lewisburg, a few miles south of my house! The tornado, which was rated an F0, crossed route 15, then moved southeast and jumped over the Susquehanna river into Northumberland county. The tornado crossed route 45 and then dissipated 1 mile south of East Lewisburg. Law enforcement officials in Montandon (a couple miles east of where the tornado dissipated) reported sighting a funnel cloud to the west. Several trees were blown down along the tornado path, and a tree branch was blown and embedded into the side of a mobile home. Thunderstorm winds blew part of the roof off of a house on the west side of Lewisburg, and damaged some trees. Trees and powerlines were brought down by thunderstorm winds in Williamsport, Berwick, Millville, Milton, and Sunbury (Point township area). A 58 mph thunderstorm gust was recorded in Millville. Tree limbs and powerlines were downed in the city of Danville. The combination of branches blown onto wires and a lightning strike, much of Danville was left without power.

Somerset, Cambria, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Cumberland, and Schuylkill, Berks, counties: Trees and powerlines were down in these counties from thunderstorm winds averaging around 55-60 mph. Locations that reported trees and/or wires down include Cressona, Robesonia, Hamburg, Lewistown, Denholm, Granville, New Bloomfield, Millerstown, Camp Hill, North Middleton township, East Pennsboro township, Hampden township, Stoystown and Colver.

Carbon, Monroe, Northampton, Lehigh, Montgomery, and counties: A 19 year-old man from Nesquehoning was struck and injured by lightning in Parryville, while setting up a tarp. Numerous trees were knocked down by severe thunderstorms in Carbon county, with 20 roads closed around the county. Monroe county experienced a severe thunderstorm complex, especially across its southern tier. From Kresgeville and Kunkletown to Stroudsburg, many trees and powerlines fell with the downburst winds. In Polk township, a farmhouse suffered structural damage. Also in Polk township, some properties had damage to most of their trees. Trees and wires were downed in East Stroudsburg as well. SKYWARN spotters detected a funnel cloud over Snydersville, but it never touched down. However, the NWS issued a tornado warning based on this report. Northampton county experinced severe thunderstorm damage, mainly across the eastern part. Winds were estimated around 60 mph at the most intense time of the thunderstorm. Plainfield township appears to be the hardest hit. At the plainfiled farmers fair alone, 18 trees were uprooted. Two roofs and two picnic tables were damaged, and a large fair tent was ripped apart. The roof of one house was completely ripped off, and the second floor contents was strewn across the yard. At another home, a lean-to was blown over the house, landing in the front yard. A number of vehicles and roofs were crushed/destroyed by falling trees. Corn fields were damaged by 1" (quarter size) hail. Lower & Upper Mount Bethel township, Lower Saucon township, and Palmer township all reported trees and powerlines down... as well as cars crushed and roofs damaged. Within the city of Bethlehem, very large trees were uprooted. It isn't often you see the term 'very' large trees down... as there aren't many of them around. Several trees were also uprooted in Easton, including a few on the College Hill Campus. Roads were closed in the area because of fallen trees and lines, with major highways backed-up for more than a mile. Power was not fully restored for two days in some areas. In Lehigh county, damage was little, but across the southeast part of the county, trees and powerlines were downed by the severe thunderstorms. In the city of Allentown, streets were blocked by trees and powerlines. A SKYWARN spotter recorded a 65 mph thunderstorm gust in Lansdale, Montgomery county.

Luzerne and Lackawanna counties: A severe thunderstorm moved into southern parts of Luzerne county, taking down many trees and powerlines in East Berwick and Conyngham. In Hazleton, the Municipal airport recorded a 64 mph thunderstorm gust. In downtown Hazleton, trees and power lines were brought down, and signs were ripped from the front of buildings. Just outside of Hazleton, a man was electrocuted and killed from a falling power line, when lightning struck a utility pole, causing the wire to fall.

Damage in NJ--

Bergen, Union, Essex, and Hudson counties: Lightning struck a house in Hillsdale, setting it on fire. Severe thunderstorm winds were responsible for two deaths and 2 injuries in these areas. A 20 year-old male parking attendant at the Ridgefield Country Club in Paramus was struck and killed by a flying tree branch. The severe thunderstorm responsible for this death picked up a lot of other debris and sent it flying through the air. Remember, NEVER STAY OUTSIDE DURING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM!! In Mahwah, a person was killed by a tree that fell during a severe thunderstorm, and in Newark, 2 people were injured by a falling tree, where a 59 mph thunderstorm gust was recorded. Trees and branches were downed at several other areas in northeast New Jersey, including in Jersey City. Some of these trees fell onto and through houses and vehicles. Here are some peak wind gusts recorded in Union county:

Kenilworth - 60 mph
Mountainside - 66 mph
Garwood - 72 mph
Roselle - 70 mph

Warren county: Considerable wind damage resulted from severe thunderstorms across Warren county, and three people were injured. Harmony, Knowlton, and Hope townships were described as disaster areas. Local residents said they have never experienced so much damage. "It looks like there was a battle here", one person said. "You see this kind of damage on the TV, but you just never think it will happen where you live", he continued. Many of the residents thought they were hit by a tornado... "It had to be a twister. What else could do this?", one resident asked. The answer is a severe thunderstorm. To an untrained eye, all damage looks the same. But, to a trained person, it was obvious that this was the work of a severe thunderstorms downburst winds. It must be remembered that severe thunderstorms often mimic tornado damage. In Warren county, peak thunderstorm wind gusts averaged around 65 mph. In Mansfield township, a tree came crashing down on the hood of a car, resulting in two injuries. In Hackettstown, a person was injured by a flying tree limb which was picked up by the severe thunderstorm downburst winds. Three major roadways were closed due to fallen trees in Harmony township alone. In Hope township, it was virtually impossible to find a piece of property that didn't have wind damage. Locust Lake road and Mount Hermon road were the hardest hit - one resident had 17 trees uprooted on his property!! The large cross on the roof of St John's Methodist Church was torn away and thrust into the roof. At the Triple Brooks Mobile Home Park, campers were overturned and tents were ripped apart. Luckily, the people were brought to a safer shelter when the severe thunderstorm warning was issued, and it was evident that the severe storm would move over the park. Downed powerlines started a house fire in Phillipsburg. In Hackettstown alone, hundreds of trees were uprooted and snapped. Within that city, no matter where you looked, you could not escape the damage. Trees that have stood for 100+ years were downed in seconds. The steeple of St James Episcopal Church was damaged, and a house on Grand avenue suffered extensive wind damage. One of the things that was surprising was that residents said that they listened to the severe thunderstorm warning for their area and took appropriate shelter. It is likely that if the advanced warning was not listened to, people would have been injured or killed... like in other areas.

Morris county: A few people were injured in Morris county, and a few more narrowly escaped serious injury. At the Flanders Valley Golf Course in Mount Olive, a 20 year-old man was seriously injured (nearly killed) when he was knocked down by the 55-60 mph thunderstorm wind gusts, and then buried by falling and flying tree limbs. The downburst wind gusts also pushed a moving vehicle off the road, and it slammed into a utility pole... injuring the driver. In Long Hill township, a 43 year-old woman was injured when a tree fell on the vehicle she was driving. A person was also injured in Flanders during the clean-up the next day. The downed trees and wires closed many roads (some for 15+ hours), and trees crashed right through several houses. Downed live wires started over 30 fires. Over 100 trees were downed in Roxbury township alone. A home in Succasunna had its roof blown off by the thunderstorm wind gusts. 100 year old/50 foot tall trees were downed throughout Mount Olive township. As local publications put it, "no one was spared in the township". The thunderstorms produced wind so strong that a 13 inch Bass was blown out of Budd Lake!! Emergency crews responded to 175 calls (due to the severe thunderstorms) in Long Hill township alone!

Hunterdon county: A person suffered spine and head injuries when a tree fell on an occupied vehicle in Flemington. Parts of the Iron Works building in Readington township collapsed, includning part of the roof which fell inside the plant. Thunderstorm winds may have been as high as 80 mph at this location. Several main roads were closed because of fallen trees. A large walnut tree was uprooted in a cemetery, and it pulled up a tombstone from 1863. More than ten vehicles were damaed by falling trees/limbs. On U.S route 22, there was considerable utility pole damage. Nickel size hail fell in Whitehouse.

Somerset county: Severe thunderstorms also caused considerable wind damage in Somerset county. Two people were injured (a mother & son) in Bound Brook when a tree fell on their vehicle. Dozens of trees and powerlines were downed, consequently damaging numerous homes and vehicles. In Bridgewater township, siding was ripped from houses and mailboxes were knocked down. A bus company's roof was also blown off. The borough of Somerville was hit hard also. The middle school had its roof blown off, as did a downtown boutique. Garages, fences, swimming pools and houses were also damaged in a number of areas by the thunderstorm winds. Several vehicles were damaged by falling trees, and roads were still closed the next day. SKYWARN spotters recorded a few severe (58+) wind gusts, with the highest being 68 mph. A number of other municipalities reported wind damage to homes, vehicles and trees. They include Bernards township, Branchburg township, Franklin township, Hillsborough township, Manville borough, North Plainfield borough, and Raritan borough.

Mercer, Middlesex, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, and Cape May counties: The severe thunderstorms that caused considerable wind damage in the northern 1/3 of NJ pushed a gust front well ahead of them. The gust front produced damaging winds as high as 60 mph in a few locations in the above named counties. The worst of the gust front's damage occurred in Middlesex county. In North Brunswick, a Modell's store lost part of its roof. Trees and power lines were downd in locations such as Piscataway, Middlesex borough, South Plainfield, Dunellen, Highland Park, Metuchen, and Edison. The other counties named above experienced wind damage to trees, tree limbs, and power lines, but the farther south you went, the more scattered it became.

Damage on Long Island, NY--

Severe thunderstorms moved through the area twice; in the early afternoon, and in the evening. In Brooklyn, a circus tent collapsed, resulting in three injuries. A few trees were down by the downburst winds, and one fell on a woman, injuring her. She suffered cuts, bruises, and a broken leg. Also, lightning struck two-story building, resulting in a significant fire, which killed 1 person and injured two. Pea size hail accompianied this thunderstorm in Brooklyn too. In Queens, 2 male workers were thrown off of a scaffolding and killed by thunderstorm winds in Sunnyside. As the scaffolding collapsed, the remaining two men on it were injured. Also in Queens, a large tent collapsed, injuring 16 people. It is very fortunate nobody was killed there. Moving onto Nassau county, EOC (Emergency Operations Center) officials reported that certain places in Sea Cliff, Sands Point, and Elmont received significant wind damage from thunderstorms (more detailed info may come soon). In Merrick and Mineola, a 57 mph thunderstorm wind gust was recorded, with tree limbs down and power out. In Baldwin, trees were downed, and large limbs were ripped off others. In Suffolk county, Deer Park was hit the hardest. Apparently, a microburst struck with the passage of the severe thunderstorm. K-Lombardi repair shop and another business had their roofs ripped off. Also, the top layer of a factory plant roof was peeled off, with the debris landing nearly 1,000 feet away, some on cars. The garage door and windows were blown into the factory as well. Between these three businesses, 12 people were injured. Dime size hail also fell in a section of Deer Park, while quarter size hail fell in Babylon. A 60 mph thunderstorm gust was measured at both Brookhaven and Farmingdale, while thunderstorm winds were clocked at 58 mph in Bohemia. At the National Weather Service Office in Upton, a tree snapped in half in their parking lot. It landed 10 feet away from the MIC's (Meteorologist-In-Charge) car!

Several people lost their lives as a result of these severe thunderstorms, and dozens were injured. Long Island and New Jersey had the most injuries and deaths. However, like the August 16, 1997 severe thunderstorms, most of these people could have gone un-injured if the severe thunderstorm warnings were listened too. But again, like August 16, 1997, credit must be given to the people who did listen to a severe thunderstorm warning, and saved their lives. Remember, a warning means that there is a serious threat to life and property. It doesn't matter if it is a tornado warning or a severe thunderstorm warning -- both tornadoes and severe thunderstorms destroy property and kill people! A common statement used in severe thunderstorm warnings are: "THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM! DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL ARE LIKELY. SEEK SHELTER NOW!". The NWS doesn't just add this for their health -- they're telling you that this thunderstorm means business... seek shelter to protect your life while you still can. Even if you take appropriate shelter during a severe thunderstorm warning and nothing happens when the storm is over, this doesn't mean that the storm wasn't severe. It either means that the damage occurred in another place, or that the damaging winds inside the thunderstorm were not "mixed" down to the surface. Occasionally, the thunderstorm actually wasn't severe when a warning is issued, but usually they are at least marginally severe. When the NWS issues a warning for a particular thunderstorm, they are many times using Doppler radar, which shows what is happening inside the thunderstorm... not at ground level. So, when a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, it means that the thunderstorm has a good potential to produce damaging winds or large hail. Even the few times when the strong winds don't reach the ground, they are still inside the thunderstorm. There will never be a tool that can tell exactly what is happening on the ground -- this is where SKYWARN spotters come in.

So don't let the lack of severe weather occurring when you seek shelter one time, stop you from taking shelter the next time. Simply going inside a strong building and away from windows isn't hard -- it may save your life.

Go here for a complete listing of all images/text available for this event.