Thunderstorm Wind — Bucks, Pennsylvania

1998-09-07 · near Countywide, Bucks, Pennsylvania

Wider weather episode

A squall line of severe thunderstorms pulled down trees and power lines in Bucks County. A child was killed by a fallen limb after the thunderstorms passed and six persons were injured during the height of the storm. The hardest hit municipalities included Bridgeton, Nockamixon and Solebury Townships and the Doylestown area. About 13,000 homes and businesses lost power during the height of the storm. In Upper Makefield Township, a 14-month-old child in the Washington Crossing area was struck in the head by a 100 pound limb at about 620 p.m. EDT. He was playing outdoors while his parents were clearing debris. The limb was damaged during the storm and gave way. The child suffered massive head injuries and died the next day. Four roads were blocked by fallen trees in the township. In Northern Bucks County, six major roadways were blocked by fallen trees in Nockamixon Township. Downed trees blocked access to a few roads in Bridgeton Township. Numerous power outages occurred in Erwinna, Kintnersville, Ottsville, Pipersville, Tinicum and Upper Black Eddy. Farther south in Solebury Township damage was described as pretty extensive with many roads blocked by trees and wires. In the Doylestown area six injuries occurred. In New Britain Township, two people were injured when the trailer they occupied was blown into a tree at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Tents were also damaged at the shrine. In Buckingham Township, a woman was pinned under a fallen tree. Another tree damaged a store. In Doylestown itself, the brick facing of one home was torn down by the severe thunderstorm. There were about 40 calls of downed trees and wires and at least one vehicle was crushed. In Lower Bucks County trees and power lines were knocked down in Falls Township, Levittown, Middletown Township, Wrightstown Township and Yardley. In Yardley, several large trees were knocked down. They damaged a couple of vehicles, knocked off the gutters to one home and caused many detours. In Middletown Township, a driver was uninjured when he drove into a downed tree on the road.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5673158. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.