Ligonier tornado (June 1, 2012) (Penn: houses, codes, store)

[Craziaskowboi]

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado near Ligonier last Friday. It formed about a quarter of a mile east of town and basically followed PA 711 to the northeast, crossing the road twice. The track was about eight miles long, and the tornado was rated a high-end EF1 with wind speeds estimated at over 100 miles per hour. Here's a map of the track:




There were no deaths or injuries, but one house lost its roof, and some cabins were damaged by fallen trees. Westmoreland County is now tied with Crawford County for the most tornadoes in Pennsylvania (37 since 1900).

[eclipticX]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado near Ligonier last Friday. It formed about a quarter of a mile east of town and basically followed PA 711 to the northeast, crossing the road twice. The track was about eight miles long, and the tornado was rated a high-end EF1 with wind speeds estimated at over 100 miles per hour. Here's a map of the track:




There were no deaths or injuries, but one house lost its roof, and some cabins were damaged by fallen trees. Westmoreland County is now tied with Crawford County for the most tornadoes in Pennsylvania (37 since 1900).

Wow, this very interesting, especially since I considered moving to Crawford county.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by eclipticX

Wow, this very interesting, especially since I considered moving to Crawford county.

It still is a very small amount. It averages to 1 every three years.

[eclipticX]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

It still is a very small amount. It averages to 1 every three years.

Indeed, but it still wouldn't hurt to have a basement or a plan of action.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by eclipticX

Indeed, but it still wouldn't hurt to have a basement or a plan of action.

Very few homes in Pennsylvania don't have basements so you'll be good there.

[eclipticX]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Very few homes in Pennsylvania don't have basements so you'll be good there.

I have always wondered why houses in the SE US do not have basements, yet many SE states get raked by tornado outbreaks.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by eclipticX

Wow, this very interesting, especially since I considered moving to Crawford county.

Yer gonna die in a tornado HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[PeterRabbit]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado near Ligonier last Friday. It formed about a quarter of a mile east of town and basically followed PA 711 to the northeast, crossing the road twice. The track was about eight miles long, and the tornado was rated a high-end EF1 with wind speeds estimated at over 100 miles per hour. Here's a map of the track:

The map posted looks like one of those straight-line wind storms that hit us around 10 years ago, mainly in Moon Twp./Robert Morris when pine trees were cut in half. Did the National Weather Serivce predict this current tornado ahead of time?

[Dawne]

Originally Posted by eclipticX

I have always wondered why houses in the SE US do not have basements, yet many SE states get raked by tornado outbreaks.

I was told once it's because of the high water table - too hard to dig a basement without it flooding right away. Don't know if that's true or not.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Dawne

I was told once it's because of the high water table - too hard to dig a basement without it flooding right away. Don't know if that's true or not.

That's one reason in some places. Another is there is not such a pronounced thaw-freeze cycle in the south as in the northern parts of the country. Building codes in the north often require the foundation to go below the frost line. If you're digging that far, you might as well put in a basement. Some soils (or lack thereof) can't support a deep foundation. Basements are not needed for insulation. There was no need to have a place to store coal and no need for a place to put the furnace for central heat. Etc.