EF2 Tornado With 130 MPH Winds Confirmed In Eastern PA: NWS

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado did in fact touch down in Eastern Pennsylvania on Wednesday night.

The NWS office in Binghamton, N.Y. said an EF2 tornado, with estimated maximum wind speeds of 130 mph, occurred in Wilkes-Barre around 10 p.m. Six people were injured, according to the NWS. The severity of the injuries was not immediately known.

According to the NWS, a severe thunderstorm moved across Luzerne County between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m., producing an EF2 tornado with a path length of 0.75 miles in Wilkes-Barre Township.

"The tornado touched down near Mundy Street and Highland Park Boulevard by the Wyoming Valley Mall and traveled about a half mile southeast toward I-81 before dissipating," the NWS said in a statement after its survey team visited the area.

The tornado caused destruction, including ripping off roofs, blowing out windows, and overturning cars.

"Structures were sheared off near their foundation. Power poles were snapped with numerous lines down," the NWS said.

Photos and videos from the scene show overturned cars, collapsed buildings, downed trees, debris everywhere, and other visible damage. See the photos and videos here.

A Panera employee told The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader he was in the restaurant washing dishes at the time the storm came through. He told that publication there were "tables and chairs flying through the windows."

Gov. Tom Wolf is scheduled to visit Wilkes Barre Township to examine the damage. He will meet with PEMA Director Rick Flinn and local emergency management and first responders, according to a statement from his office.

Senator Bob Casey made a statement on the storm, telling those in the path of it to "please heed the warnings and follow the directions of local officials."

PHOTO: NWS