National Weather Service Raw Text Product

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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
National Weather Service PITTSBURGH PA
156 PM EDT Fri Oct 5 2018

...UPDATED NWS DAMAGE SURVEYS FOR 10/02/18 TORNADO EVENT...

Below are summaries of storm surveys conducted to date for the
tornadic storms on Tuesday 10/02/2018. Additional surveys will be
conducted next week in Forest and Venango Counties, and 
information below may be updated further after Civil Air Patrol 
flyovers are conducted.

Surveys in Armstrong County (East Brady/Brady's Bend area) and 
Preston County (Brandonville area) uncovered no damage, and could
not corroborate any tornado reports received by NWS Pittsburgh.


.Brookville Tornado #1 (Jefferson County PA)...

Start Location...West of Brookville
End Location...Just northeast of exit 81 on Interstate 80
Date...10/02/18
Estimated Time...To be determined. Two tornadic thunderstorms 
tracked over roughly the same areas between 5 and 6 PM. We are 
currently corroborating video, photo and eye-witness accounts to 
determine which tornado was associated with which storm. 
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0 
Beginning Lat/Lon...41.166N / 79.121W 
Ending Lat/Lon...41.173N / 79.029W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0 

...Summary...
Eyewitness accounts and several videos confirm that a tornado 
initially touched down just west of the Moonlight Drive-In Theatre
along US322 just west of Brookville. Sporadic minor to moderate 
tree damage was observed along a 4 mile track to the east, last 
observed along Kirkman Rd just north of the 82 mile marker of 
Interstate 80. The track is presumed to have crossed Interstate 80
roughly at the North Fork Creek bridge. Track continuation to 
the east is not yet able to be determined at this time due to the 
lack of roads south and west of Hazen. Path length and width 
details will be made available once flights are completed by Civil
Air Patrol. 

 
.Brookville Tornado #2 (Jefferson County PA)...

Start Location...Baxter in Jefferson PA
End Location...South of Brookville in Jefferson PA
Date...10/02/18
Estimated Time...To be determined. Two tornadic thunderstorms 
tracked over roughly the same areas between 5 and 6 PM. We are 
currently corroborating video, photo and eye-witness accounts to 
determine which tornado was associated with which storm. 
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2 
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...110 mph
Maximum Path Width...at least 200 yards
Path Length...at least 4.0 miles 
Beginning Lat/Lon...41.142N / 79.168W 
Ending Lat/Lon...41.135N / 79.090W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
Eyewitness accounts and several videos confirmed that a tornado 
tracked from Baxter to just south of Brookville. Drone footage 
confirms the beginning of the track just west of Monrean Rd 
approximately 1/4 mile north of Route 28. Widespread and 
significant tree damage, including numerous snapped and uprooted 
mature trees, was observed in this location. Two residential
structures lost roofs and fascia. The tornado continued eastward 
across Route 28 and the Jefferson Cemetery. Nearly complete tree 
loss was observed adjacent to and within the cemetery, including 
the snapping of numerous mature softwood pines. In addition, 
approximately 100 granite gravestones, averaging one foot by two 
foot by 4 inches in size, were overturned, with one observed 
having rolled 5 times and displaced approximately 15 feet. Drone 
footage and ground surveys indicate tree damage continued east 
across Red Bank Creek ending prior to Five Mile Run Rd. This is 
coincident with tornado video provided via social media. Total 
path length for this tornado was approximately 4 miles, with a 
path width of at least 200 yards. Additional tornado path tracks 
to the west or east were not available due to the lack of roads, 
and additional information will be provided after flights are 
completed by Civil Air Patrol. 

NWS Pittsburgh is grateful to Jefferson County EMA and the
volunteers from Brookville and Falls Creek for their assistance 
in this survey. We also extend our gratitude to the public who 
submitted damage reports and videos of the tornadoes to aid in 
our survey effort.


.Graysville Tornado (Greene County PA)...

...DETAILS HAVE BEEN UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...

Start Location...near Martin Rd in Graysville PA
End Location...along Grange Rd in Graysville PA
Date...10/02/18
Estimated Time...526 pm - 528 pm EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...90 mph
Maximum Path Width...200 yards
Path Length...1.7 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...39.945N / 80.396W
Ending Lat/Lon...39.941N / 80.365W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
Visible tree damage began along a hilltop near Martin Rd, but 
became concentrated in the valley along Stringtown Road northeast 
of Graysville PA, where numerous hardwood and softwood trees were 
snapped or uprooted. A home in this location lost its deck roof 
and fascia.

Several outbuildings were destroyed, including a shed that was 
found mangled upwind from its prior location, and an open metal
canopy that was removed, mangled and deposited in a field
downstream. Another outbuilding exhibited metal roof panel
peeling.

The damage continued sporadically until Grange Road, where
threshold tree damage was noted.

Much of the path of this storm was in sparsely accessible areas,
and additional information from Civil Air Patrol flyovers may
further enhance this preliminary information.

NWS Pittsburgh is grateful to Greene County EMA for its assistance
in this survey, and to the public who submitted damage reports and
video of the tornado to aid in our survey effort.


.Donegal Lake Area Tornado (Westmoreland County PA)...

...UPDATE TO MAXIMUM WIND SPEED/RATING BASED ON DRONE SURVEY...

Start Location...near Stairs Rd in Donegal Township PA
End Location...near Donegal Lake Rd and Harr Rd
Date...10/02/18
Estimated Time...555 pm - 559 pm EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...110-120 mph
Maximum Path Width...250 yards
Path Length...~1.6 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...40.143N / 79.399W
Ending Lat/Lon...40.136N / 79.371W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
Visible tree damage began on a hilltop west of Stairs Road in 
Donegal Township. The tornado intensified rapidly as it descended 
into the valley, with widespread blowdown of hardwood and softwood
trees cutting a sharp path through the forest. Drone footage 
obtained today shows remarkable tree damage in this area with 
clear convergence in the debris field.

Continuous, but weaker tree damage was found through the valley to
near the intersection of Harr Road and Donegal Lake Road, where
the circulation shrank and weakened.

The blowdown adjacent to Stairs Road was consistent with wind of
110-120 mph, which suggests a peak rating of EF2 for this tornado.

NWS Pittsburgh is grateful to the Westmoreland County EMA for
their assistance with the storm surveys and for drone footage, and
to the public for alerting us of damage and providing video and
photos.


.Valley Green Road Area Tornado (Westmoreland County PA)...

Start Location...along Ivy Lane/Brinkerton Road in Unity Township PA
End Location...along Pattern Shop Road in Hempfield Township PA
Date...10/02/18
Estimated Time...537 pm - 539 pm EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...85-90 mph
Maximum Path Width...150 yards
Path Length...~1.0 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...40.244N / 79.530W
Ending Lat/Lon...40.257N / 79.525W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0
 
...Summary...
A brief EF1 tornado with max wind of 85-90 mph was documented 
from near Ivy Lane and Brinkerton Road to near Pattern Shop Road 
and Valley Green Road. 

Along Ivy Lane, several softwood tree trunks were snapped, and a
few hardwood trees were uprooted. Farther north along Brinkerton
Road, the tornado strengthened to its peak wind speed as it 
descended into a valley and carved a short, focused path of 
snapped and uprooted trees.

Tree damage continued after the tornado crossed Brinkerton Road,
but wind speed weakened at this time. The last observed damage was
noted near Pattern Shop Road and Valley Green Road as the tornado
encountered a hillside. A few snapped limbs were noted at the end
of its path.

This tornado was unusual not only for its northward movement in 
an eastward-moving storm, but especially because it formed on the 
northern side of the parent thunderstorm, removed from the 
typical hook echo region.

NWS Pittsburgh extends thanks to the Westmoreland County EMA for
its assistance and drone video provided during the survey, and to
the public for their eyewitness accounts.


.Brinker Road Area Tornado (Westmoreland County PA)...

Start Location...along Brinker Road in Hempfield Township PA
End Location...along Armbrust-Hecla Road in Mt. Pleasant Township PA
Date...10/02/18
Estimated Time...538 pm - 540 pm EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...65-75 mph
Maximum Path Width...250 yards
Path Length...~0.8 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...40.211N / 79.560W
Ending Lat/Lon...40.219N / 79.550W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
From eyewitness reports and visible damage, a brief tornado began
near a hilltop along Brinker Road and continued northeastward
toward Rt 819.

Several trees, both softwood and hardwood, in the area of Gold
Leaf Lane were snapped and many others were uprooted. The tornado
grew smaller rapidly as it crossed Rt 819 and leveled trees in the
woods behind homes along Armbrust-Hecla Road before it weakened
quickly. No additional damage points were found by the survey team
after this point.

Tree damage was found along Stone Church Road, but appears to have
been produced by strong wind outside of the tornadic circulation,
perhaps associated with the rear-flank downdraft or a core
collapse in the forward flank of the storm.


EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$

Kramar/Bookbinder/McMullen/Brown/AAM