Large, Dangerous Tornado Confirmed Near New Hope, Bucks County As Severe Weather Pummels Region

NEW HOPE, Pa. (CBS) -- Tornado warnings began in Bucks County shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, and two confirmed tornados touched down in the area. One was in Bensalem and one, described as "large and dangerous," in New Hope. Both caused damage to businesses and homes.

This area took a beating Thursday afternoon from heavy winds, heavy rain, a lot of lightning and the skies were churning as the storm made its way through. PECO crews were on scene Thursday night along River Road and were able to turn power on for a portion of the area that had been in the dark since the storms came through the area. Downtown New Hope remains mostly in the dark.

Despite some very close calls, residents said they're grateful it wasn't any worse.

"It was scary as hell," Lori Stagnitto of New Hope said.

Driving up and down the Delaware River, pictures of the damage from Thursday's powerful storms that pummeled parts of Bucks County.

"The wind was so fierce, and the storm was so fierce, and the trees were just completely bent over down to the ground," Stagnitto said.

Stagnitto walked CBS3 through the property where a massive tree fell on the front yard, narrowly missing her more-than-200-year-old historic home.

"It's a little challenge for us," Kevin Sugalski with PennDOT said. "It's not concentrated in one area in Bucks County."

PennDOT crews quickly responded to areas hardest hit and assessing the damage after reports of a tornado near New Hope.

"Right now, it looks like ground zero is River Road," Sugalski said. "For a tree to come down that size, the winds had to be excessive.

One driver was caught in the path of danger.

"A tree limb actually fell down on her car," Sugalski said.

That woman was able to walk away without any serious injuries.

PennDOT is bracing for a long night of cleaning up.

"We have half a dozen roads closed with trees in the wires and low-hanging trees," Sugalski said.

PennDOT is warning that many of those roads that are closed now will stay that way for the morning commute.

The severe weather also triggered tornado warnings in parts of Lehigh County. There was extensive damage in Weisenberg Township.

Large trees were uprooted, while others were snapped in half.

One massive tree fell on top of a minivan.

Some barns hard part of their roofs ripped off.

There were no reports of injuries.

CBS3's Alicia Roberts contributed to this report.

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