EF2 Tornado Traveled 20 Miles Through Bucks Co.: Weather Service

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A tornado traveled 20 miles through Bucks County Tuesday, touching down in Doylestown as an EF2 with 115 mph winds, investigators with the National Weather Service said Friday.

The tornado originated near the Philadelphia Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia before ending in Doylestown, where it caused serious damage to the Doylestown Hospital.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado had a maximum path width of 500 yards, and path length of 20 miles. The tornado touched down just east of the Philadelphia Mills Mall before moving northwest near Knights Road, Medford Road and toward Dunks Ferry Road.

The estimated wind speed at that time was 100 mph, equivalent to EF1 tornado.

"Three exhaust systems and 6 RTU systems were blown off the roof in less than 15 seconds at the former Walmart Store currently undergoing reconstruction, and numerous trees, some close to 100 years old, were snapped or blown over along Knights Road, Medford Road, and Dunks Ferry Road," investigators said in a summary about the tornado that was released Friday.

Roofs, siding, and awnings were blown off many homes in the area. A few cars were also tossed or turned over as the storm moved through, investigators determined.

Investigators believe the tornado then lifted off the ground as it proceeded northwest, briefly touching down in the Southampton area.

In Southampton,"numerous trees were snapped in this area as well, with many homes and cars damaged due to falling trees and tree limbs."

The Sycamore Drive and Harding Roads areas were hardest hit, investigators found. The estimated wind speed in the Southampton area was 90 mph, equivalent to an EF1.

The tornado then lifted one more time, traveling to Doylestown, where it picked up speed to 115 mph and touched down near Central Bucks West High School around 11:15 a.m.

Bleachers on the visitors side of the athletic field were picked up and tossed before the vortex moved on to Doylestown Hospital. There, at least six cars were toppled and substantial damage occurred to the main campus as well as the onsite Children's Village Day Care center.

At the time it touched down in Doylestown, it was an EF2 tornado, investigators determined.

There were no serious injuries.

The tornado then continued moving northwest, snapping trees and causing damage to homes along Sandy Ridge Road, Jefferson Avenue, and Lower State Road.

It then lifted along Ferry Road near the Peace Valley Reservoir. The estimated wind speed in this area was 100 mph, equivalent to an EF1.

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