NWS Determines Tornado Touched Down In Lancaster County
LANCASTER, Pa. (CBS/AP) — The National Weather Service has determined a tornado touched down Wednesday in eastern Lancaster County.
Natl. Weather Service has determined a tornado touched down in eastern Lancaster county. Damage points to EF1. @CBSPhilly
— Alexandria Hoff (@AlexandriaHoff) February 25, 2016
Lancaster tornado deemed an EF2. 400ft width. Max wind speeds 120-125. @CBSPhilly
— Alexandria Hoff (@AlexandriaHoff) February 25, 2016
The National Weather Service has categorized this tornado as an EF-2, that's on a scale of 0 to 4. CBS 3 is told it traveled about 4.7 miles, at its widest it was about 400 yards across and produced wind speeds of about 105 miles per hour.
As soon as daylight exposed the damage, those living in the largely Amish and Mennonite community sis what they most often do, and got to work.
"About six o'clock this morning the buggies I saw out I usually don't see that many on the road, they must all have been coming to lend a hand with the cleanup, it's pretty amazing," said neighbor Dave Butler.
Knowing the cleanup would be almost as swift as the storm, locals turned up to document this rare touchdown.
"A convergent path along the centerline indicates airflow into the center of the tornado and it's more concentrated focus that's typically the tell-tale sign of a tornado," said Barry Lambert of the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service spent Thursday afternoon surveying the damage in order to determine the category of tornado, eventually deeming it an EF-2, meaning wind speeds topped 120 miles an hour.
Chopper 3 provides a clear scope of the damage from overtop the small town of Salisbury where over 40 buildings were torn apart.
"So it was probably on the ground six to eight minutes if you move it around 40 or 50 miles an hour," said Lambert.
"I'll be honest I didn't really think much of it but it was pretty windy and nasty," said Butler.
No injuries were reported.
Meteorologist John LaCorte says the storm caused multiple buildings to collapse, tore roofs off homes and downed trees and power lines.
There's at least one report of a barn that had collapsed with animals trapped inside.
A school also reportedly suffered major damage. Video shows school supplies and students' desks around the area.
The storm flooded streets and left behind a trail of debris.
"There was a lot of wind whipping... We saw all the power go out then ours started flickering on and off, then it was off. We knew something wasn't good. We heard stuff tossing and turning and we heard the debris. This isn't even real," said an eyewitness.
RELATED: Strong Winds Take Down Burger King Sign In NE Philly
LaCorte says the eastern part of the county was hit the hardest. He calls it a "pretty significant storm."
Eight million in damages is estimated in Lancaster County, CBS 3 is told.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
