EF1 tornado in Perry County, Pennsylvania

An EF1 tornado was confirmed in Toboyne Township near Big Spring State Park/Burnt Hill Camp Area with maximum wind speeds between 80 and 90 mph. The tornado touched down one half mile southwest of Goodlane Road just off of Route 274. Large trees were uprooted and fell on a roof of a cabin. Occasional tree damage occurred in the woods along (on the east-side of) Route 274 to the Eby Cemetery. Some trees fell and blocked the road. A metal roof was partially removed from an old barn. A wind circulation was evident in a tall grass field at the end of the 3-mile damage path. All together, about 75 trees were knocked down. There were no injuries or deaths.

A MCV and broader mid-level trough crossed the central Appalachians and triggered strong to severe thunderstorms from the central ridges into the Susquehanna River Valley during the afternoon and evening. Very high boundary layer moisture and humidity contributed to heavy rainfall/flash flooding and precipitation loading within consolidating convection. While the deep layer flow and shear were somewhat modest, ambient vertical vorticity just ahead of the MCV and low LCLs aided in the development of two weak, short-lived (EF1) tornadoes in Centre and Perry Counties. Deep moisture (PWAT) values around two inches along with relatively slow, south-to-north training cells and bands produced significant flash flooding, particularly in DuBois and Beech Creek which sustained extensive flood damages due localized 4-6+ inch rainfall amounts. Both towns were declared a State of Emergency. The Bald Eagle Creek at Beech Creek Station surged nearly 8 feet in 4 hours and crested just below major flood stage. The creek officially crested at 13.75 feet which was the sixth highest crest on record. An 86-year old man was swept away and killed by the rising flood waters in Beech Creek.