NWS Confirms Tornado Hit Jefferson County on Tuesday

| August 23, 2018

ELK TWP., Pa. (EYT) – The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh (NWS) has confirmed that a tornado touched down Tuesday afternoon in Jefferson and Elk counties.

Crews from the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh and State College were in both counties Wednesday to assess the damage.

In light of available data and damage reports, and following a preliminary photographic ground survey by the Jefferson County EMA, NWS Pittsburgh and State College confirmed the tornado began in Brockway, Jefferson County, around 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday and continued across the border into Brockport, Elk County.

Officials say the damage began a few miles south of Brockway and continued 4 miles northeastward into Elk County to just southwest of Brockport.

The tornado was rated an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale with winds estimated up to 110 MPH.

The damage, which included snapped and uprooted trees, a toppled truck and facial damage to structures, is consistent with an EF-1 tornado.

An EF-1 is the second weakest tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale compared to the strongest being an EF-5 with winds measuring greater than 200 MPH.

Investigators say the preliminary data will be supplemented through the remainder of the week by ground and aerial surveys that will be conducted by the NWS and emergency management officials from both Elk and Jefferson counties.

No injuries were reported.


Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.

Category: Local News, News