Tornadoes in Wayne-Pike cause damage, cut power

| 30 Sep 2011 | 08:23

    HONESDALE — The National Weather Service confirmed that no fewer than three tornados tore through northeastern Pennsylvania on Friday night, toppling trees and damaging some buildings as well as cutting power to thousands of residents. No injuries were reported. Forecasters said Sunday that an EF-2 tornado with wind speeds up to 115 to 125 mph touched down near Honesdale and traveled into Pike County. A smaller EF-1 tornado was confirmed touching down in Susquehanna County and heading into Wayne County near Pleasant Mount. Still another EF-1 was active near Hawley in Wayne County and Lackawaxen in Pike County. At Uniondale, an EF1 tornado destroyed a trailer was destroyed, numerous trees toppled and barns damaged. There was minor damage to homes along its seven mile path, the NWS reported. An EF2 tornado set down near Beach Lake. Over its 15-mile path, the NWS said four structures suffered major damage or were destroyed, while 40 others had minor damage. A significant amount of trees were reported destroyed. One home was destroyed by falling trees in the wake of the third tornado, an EF1, which cut a 12-mile track from Honesdale and ending near Lackawaxen, the NWS reported. PPL spokeswoman Martha Herron told the Associated Press that about 4,300 customers lost power. Brian Wrightson, emergency services director for the American Red Cross of Lackawanna County, says 50 to 80 properties had some damage and 14 people were displaced.