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Storm Events Database
Event Details:
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | F3 |
| -- Length | 13 Miles |
| -- Width | 880 Yards |
| State | PENNSYLVANIA |
| County/Area | SOMERSET |
| WFO | CTP |
| Report Source | EMERGENCY MANAGER |
| NCEI Data Source | PDC |
| Begin Date | 1998-05-31 19:50 EST |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 39.75/-79.08 |
| End Date | 1998-05-31 20:10 EST |
| End Location | POCAHONTAS |
| End Lat/Lon | 39.73/-78.97 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 1/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 15/0 |
| Property Damage | 4M |
| Crop Damage | |
| Event Narrative | The tornado touched down just east of Mt. Davis and traveled east-southeast into downtown Salisbury. The storm then continued eastward for 8 miles ending east of the town of Pocahontas. The tornado was rated as an F2 (113 to 157 mph) through the town of Salisbury, but probably reached F3 (158 to 206 mph) intensity briefly near Pocohontas. Along the 15 mile path, damages were estimated to reach between $3 million to $4 million. The path length of the tornado was probably close to 15 miles. F0 damage (40-72 mph) was in a swath about 1/2 mile wide, with F2 damage confined to an area about 2 blocks wide in Salisbury. Near Pocohontas, a farmhouse was completely destroyed indicating winds of F3 intensity (158 to 206 mph) in an area about 50 yards wide. Fifteen people were injured from the tornado. One person, a 13 year old female in a van, lost her life when a tree fell onto the vehicle. 150 people were sheltered overnight Sunday. A 51-year old male and 15-year old female died from carbon monoxide poisoning when a portable generator malfunctioned 3 days after the event. The tornado struck downtown Salisbury around 8:50pm. Ten to fifteen businesses were significantly damaged. Siding and parts of roofs were removed from a number of homes, and part of a roof was removed from a church. The roof was completely ripped off of a furniture factory. Several tractor trailers at the factory were overturned. |
Event Fatality Details:
| Type | Age | Gender | Fatality Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death (Direct) | 13 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer |
Event Map:
Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 1 | 15 | 4.000M | 0.00K | |||||||
| SALISBURY | SOMERSET CO. | PA | 05/31/1998 | 19:50 | EST | Tornado | F3 | 1 | 15 | 4.000M | 0.00K |
| Totals: | 1 | 15 | 4.000M | 0.00K |
