Tornado Confirmed near Bridgewater Township in Susquehanna County Pennsylvania

• Location: Bridgewater Township in Susquehanna County Pennsylvania
• Date: July 26 2012
• Estimated time: 500 PM EDT
• Maximum EF-scale rating: EF1
• Estimated maximum wind speed: 90 MPH
• Maximum path width: 150 yards
• Path length: 0.8 miles
• Beginning lat/lon: 41.78n / 75.87w
• Ending lat/lon: 41.79n / 75.85w
• Fatalities: 0
• Injuries: 0

Summary

The National Weather Service in Binghamton, NY has confirmed a tornado near Bridgewater Township in Susquehanna county Pennsylvania on July 26 2012.

This is an update to the preliminary report issued earlier of a tornado confirmed near Montrose Pennsylvania. This tornado actually occurred south of the village out in rural sections of Bridgewater Township. This is not a separate tornado event.

On the afternoon of july 26, 2012, a severe thunderstorm produced several areas of tree and minor structural damage to buildings along Davis Road in the township. As the storm tracked east, a tornado was formed and initially touched down around 5:00 PM EDT along Johnson Pond Road. Significant damage to softwoods and hardwoods was observed at two residences on this road with approximately 75 to 100 trees destroyed. The roof of a small, concrete block building was lifted off and tossed approximately 50-75 yards across the road and into a nearby field. The concrete block walls were pushed over. Minor shingle and siding damage was done to each of the residences. The tornado continued tracking east, and decended a hill toward Meshoppen Creek Road. A residence at the base of the hill experienced considerable structural damage from large trees falling into the building. Two sheds were destroyed by tornadic winds. The tornado then entered a field and grove of trees, causing a considerable amount of damage to several dozen trees. The tree damage was in a chopped up and chaotic appearance which is indicative of a tornado signature. The tornado lifted before climbing another ridge line to the east of Meshoppen Creek Road. The tornado traveled for approximately 0.8 miles and was between 75 and 150 yards wide. Maximum estimated winds were around 90 MPH which is classified as an ef1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event(s) and publication in National Weather Service Storm Data.

The image below is the approximate path of the tornado.

The image below is the approximate path and width of the straight line winds.

Damage Photos

For reference, the Enhanced Fujita Scale classification can be found here.

Brewster