NEWS UPDATE: Tornado confirmed in Matamoras, Camp Hebron region
A tornado touched down in the Matamoras area of Halifax Twp. the afternoon of May 29, leaving a trail of property damage on a journey that covered 2.5 miles in less than five minutes, according to the NWS (National Weather Service).
Camp Hebron, a Christian camping and retreat center in the township, was among the properties in the now-confirmed tornado’s path.
The NWS estimated the tornado’s maximum wind speed as 100 mph, rating it an ‘‘EF-1,’’ the second lowest in wind velocity (86 to 110 mph) on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The incident began at about 4:24 p.m. and ended at about 4:28 p.m.
The NWS said the incident is still pending further review but issued the following preliminary report the afternoon of May 30:
‘‘The tornado touched down near Route 225 north of Matamoras Road. The tornado produced intermittent tree damage along a 2.5-mile path as it traveled to the east-southeast into Camp Hebron. The tree damage, which consisted of many uprooted trees and a few snapped tree trunks, was most intense near the end of the tornado`s path in Camp Hebron.
The report also stated, ‘‘A separate area of tree damage near Halifax was determined to be
the result of straight-line winds.’’
This information can also be found on our website at weather.gov/StateCollege.