Severe thunderstorm produced two damaging tornadoes in Pennsylvania, leaving 6 injured

A severe thunderstorm moved across Pennsylvania's Luzerne County between 21:30 and 22:30 local time Wednesday, June 13, 2018, producing two damaging tornadoes. At least 6 people were injured and numerous homes and cars damaged.

The first tornado touched down in Wilkes-Barre Township around 22:00 near Mundy Street and Highland Park Boulevard by the Wyoming Valley Mall and traveled about 1.2 km (0.75 miles) southeast toward I-82 before dissipating.

The twister injured 6 people and destroyed numerous roofs and windows. Some structures were sheared off near their foundation and power poles were snapped with numerous lines down.

The National Weather Service teams surveyed the damage on June 14, concluding that the damage was consistent with an EF-2 tornado, meaning the average wind speed reached between 178 and 217 km/h (111 and 135 mph).

The second tornado touched down in nearby Franklin Township.

NWS survey team investigated the scene but the agency had not released their preliminary report yet. On their Twitter page, NWS Binghamton said they are still assessing if the damage was due to straight line winds or a tornado. Their update is expected on June 15.

Featured image: EF-2 tornado damage in Wilkes-Bare, Pennsylvania on June 13, 2018. Credit: NWS Binghamton