Severe Weather Reports for 4/28/2011

Tornado Damage in York County from earlier this morning.


Tornado Damage in York County from earlier this morning.

The severe weather today in our area was plentiful in our region (although nothing like the severe devistation in the Gulf States). Several thunderstorms did prompt tornado warnings across North-Central and Northeastern New Jersey, portions of the Lehigh Valley, and in South-Central Pennsylvania. There were numerous severe thunderstorm warnings issued throughout New Jersey.

In York County (we have a few readers there), the State College National Weather Service Forecast Office has confirmed an EF1 tornado. It occurred at Roundtop Mountain Resort in Fortney Township, Pennsylvania. This touchdown occurred around 5:55 a.m. today. It was 100 yards in width. Details on the max wind speed and length are listed as "to be determined". An EF1 tornado produces wind speeds of 86 to 110 MPH.

In Hunterdon County (New Jersey), a funnel cloud was reported in Alexandria Township. In Morris County, a funnel cloud was reported in Chester Township. In Passaic County, an impressive three funnel clouds were spotted at one time in Wayne Township. There were trees and power lines knocked down in Hunterdon and Morris Counties, including in Alexandria Township. WNBC in New York is reporting possible tornado damage in Denville Township. Jersey Central Power and Light’s online outage map did show several thousand in that area without power at one point in these areas. Of course, we will keep you updated if there is a report of an actual tornado touchdown in this area.

Update: Anthony Gigi told NJ.Com the following:  "The reports that we are getting are more consistent with a severe thunderstorm rather than a tornado. We’re not seeing hundreds of trees down or roofs ripped off of homes."

Elsewhere, a tree fell down on a bus this morning in Berks County near South Heidelberg Township. In Mertztown large tree limbs were downed. In Jackson, Monroe County in Pennsylvania there was trees that were felled onto houses. Stroud Township also reported trees down. Wires were knocked down in Springfield Township in Bucks County. In Cumru Township in Berks County, trees were reported to be down. Hail was reported in Hunterdon County at White Horse Station which isn’t surprising to hear about when you have tornado characteristic thunderstorms. Trees and wires were taken down in Somerset County near North Plainfield Township.

More:   Storm Damage Reports (NWS)