Family Life

07.30.12 | Sarah Harnisch

At least four tornadoes dropped from the storm. The National Weather Service has confirmed it was a tornado that touched down in northern Pennsylvania last Thursday that knocked out power to thousands statewide and took the lives of 2 people. The twister had winds of 80 miles an hour when it dropped near Coudersport, in Potter County.

The NWS confirmed three tornadoes touched down in Chemung and Steuben Counties on Thursday. All were categorized as EF-1 (with winds between 86-110 mph).

The first hit around 3:30pm, 7 miles South of Southwest Corning, with winds blowing up to 90 miles per hour. The tornado traveled 0.3 miles, with a touchdown near the intersection of Ryers Creek Road and River Road. The second hit near South Corning at 3:45, with winds going up to 100 mph. This tornado travelled just under 3 miles. The third and most powerful tornado hit Elmira near 4:00pm with winds up to 110 mph. The tornado touched down near Route 352, then moved through West Elmira, into downtown Elmira, then Church Street. From there the tornado tracked southeast towards Jerusalem Hill Road, where it finally lifted. The total track length was nearly 10 miles long.

There are still 411 people without power in Chemung County, 402 in Steuben County, and less then 5 in the Northern Tier.