Yesterday, a tornado ripped through the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar area, unleashing the fury of the skies above Pittsburgh.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed the incident.
The tornado, categorized as an EF-0, was just the fourth of its sort for Southwestern Pennsylvania in November since records have been kept, according to First Alert Meteorologist Ray Petelin.
The storm’s aftermath has left thousands in the dark, and cleanup efforts are currently ongoing.
The tornado hit quickly between the Highland Park and Lincoln Lemington Belmar areas.
According to CBS News Pittsburgh, no injuries were recorded although electricity lines and trees were toppled. Duquesne Light Company is battling time to restore power to nearly 3,000 residences, with full power projected by tomorrow at 10 a.m. However, many houses will likely have their lights turned back on before this time.
Meanwhile, in Shaler Township, the storms brought a tree crashing onto the roof of a house, a somber reminder of nature’s indiscriminate strength while mercifully sparing people inside from injury.
The repercussions of Wednesday’s storm extended beyond the wrath of the winds.
The National Weather Service has warned of an impending winter storm that could dump 6 to 12 inches of snow on the Laurel Highlands and ridges starting Friday, with the Pittsburgh metro receiving up to 3 inches.
As locals try to comprehend the chaos left in the storm’s path, one West Mifflin homeowner, Tom Heuer, described his meeting with the storm’s force, as reported by WTAE: “I saw out the front window, the leaves blown around and the wires slap, you know, waving back and forth.”
And as I got up to go to the back, I noticed the dark cloud outside our side window. And then I heard the cracking and thudding of trees falling.”
The impact on the town is palpable, with entire trees uprooted and property ruined, leaving the event as a memory etched by nature’s unpredictable temperament.