Violent Storm Pummels York, Lancaster: Buildings Heavily Damaged
Big Storm Hits Central Pennsylvania: What Happened and How to Stay Safe
A Surprise Storm Hits Town
Imagine you’re playing outside on a Thursday afternoon, and suddenly the sky gets really dark. The wind starts howling like a wolf, and rain pours down so hard you can’t see your hand in front of your face. That’s what happened in York and Lancaster counties on Thursday afternoon.
A severe storm — a really strong, scary storm — swept through Central Pennsylvania around 4:00 PM. It brought damaging winds, heavy rain, and even signs of a tornado!
What Got Damaged?
The storm was very strong and hurt several buildings:
- Eastern York High School in Wrightsville (York County) — the roof was severely damaged
- A building on South 4th Street in Columbia (Lancaster County) — photos show severe damage
- Many trees knocked down, power lines broken, and other buildings hurt too
See the Damage
There are 6 photos showing the storm damage at Eastern York High School and other places. They were taken by Nick Vitto (FOX43) and Kim Stambaugh.
Power Outages — Lights Out for Thousands
When the storm hit, it knocked out electricity for many people:
| Area | Customers Without Power (around 6:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Lancaster County | ~5,000 |
| Wrightsville area | ~1,300 |
| York County | ~1,200 |
That’s a lot of homes and businesses in the dark! Crews worked hard to fix the lines.
Tornado Warning Issued!
At 4:28 PM, the National Weather Service (NWS) — the government experts who watch the weather — issued a Tornado Warning for western Lancaster County.
A Tornado Warning means: "A tornado has been spotted or radar shows one might be forming. Take shelter NOW!"
A viewer named Jeremy Zarlos sent a video showing the storm rotating (spinning) as it arrived in Columbia. That spinning is a sign a tornado could form.
IMPORTANT: What to Do During a Tornado Warning
CALLOUT: LIFESAVING INFORMATION
If you hear a Tornado Warning, act FAST! Don’t wait. Don’t go outside to look. Get to safety immediately. These steps come straight from the National Weather Service and can save your life.
Numbered Safety Steps:
-
Stay Weather-Ready
- Keep listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio (a special radio that only plays weather alerts)
- Don’t turn off alerts on your phone!
-
At Your House
- Go to your basement, safe room, or an inside room with no windows (like a bathroom or closet)
- Bring pets with you if you have time
-
At Work or School
- Follow your tornado drill (practice you’ve done before)
- Go to the tornado shelter quickly and calmly
- Stay away from windows and big open rooms like gyms, cafeterias, or auditoriums
-
Outside
- Get inside a strong building RIGHT NOW
- Sheds, storage units, mobile homes, and tents are NOT safe
- If you have time, go to a safe building
- In a Car
- Cars are NOT safe in tornadoes
- Best choice: Drive to the closest sturdy shelter
- If you can’t reach shelter: Either…
- Stay in car, buckle up, get down below windows, cover your head
- OR leave car and lie in a low ditch or ravine, cover your head
Report Damage to Help Your Community
The York County Office of Emergency Management needs your help! They’re asking property owners to report damage so they can:
- Understand how bad the storm was
- Get resources (help, money, supplies) to the right places
- Start recovery faster
What Counts as Reportable Damage?
- Downed trees
- Building/structure damage
- Foundation collapse
- Water in basements or living areas
- Washed-out private lanes or bridges
- Lost personal belongings
- Water-damaged appliances and utilities
Financial Help Might Be Available!
If the county qualifies, you could get grants (free money) or low-interest loans from the state or FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
How to Report Damage:
Click here: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/yorkPA/request.html
Summary
| What Happened | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Storm hit | Thursday ~4:00 PM in York & Lancaster Counties |
| Tornado Warning | Issued 4:28 PM for western Lancaster County |
| Major damage | Eastern York HS roof, building in Columbia, trees, power lines |
| Power outages | ~5,000 Lancaster, ~1,300 Wrightsville, ~1,200 York County |
| Safety steps | Get inside, go low, stay away from windows, cover head |
| Report damage | Use the CrisisTrack link above |
| Possible aid | Grants/loans if county qualifies for state/FEMA help |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What’s the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning?
Watch = "Conditions are right for a tornado. Be ready."
Warning = "A tornado is happening or about to happen. Take shelter NOW!"
2. My house doesn’t have a basement. Where should I go?
Go to the lowest floor, in a small interior room (bathroom, closet, hallway) with no windows. Put as many walls between you and outside as possible. Cover yourself with a mattress or blankets.
3. Should I open windows to equalize pressure?
NO! That’s an old myth. Opening windows wastes precious time and lets debris in. Stay away from windows!
4. How do I know if my county qualifies for FEMA help?
Local officials assess damage first. If it’s bad enough, the governor requests a federal disaster declaration. Watch local news and check your county’s emergency management website for updates.
5. What should I put in an emergency kit for future storms?
- Water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days)
- Non-perishable food (3-day supply)
- Flashlight + extra batteries
- First aid kit
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Medications
- Important documents (in waterproof bag)
- Phone chargers + power bank
- Cash (ATMs may not work)
- Pet supplies if you have animals
Stay Safe, Stay Informed
Storms can be scary, but knowing what to do makes you powerful. Share this info with family and friends. Practice your tornado drill. Sign up for weather alerts. And if you see damage — report it! You’re helping your whole community recover faster.
Remember: When thunder roars, go indoors. When a warning sounds, get low and cover up. You’ve got this!