Back-to-back nights of severe weather claimed two lives and caused extensive damage across much of South-Central Pennsylvania on Saturday and Sunday. NOTE | A flood watch is in effect for the entire Susquehanna Valley on Monday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fallen tree kills mother, sonThe first round of severe storms hit on the evening of July Fourth. A tree at the Mountain Creek Campground in Dickinson Township, Cumberland County, crashed down on a tent around 6:20 p.m. Pamela Landis, 45, and Andre Landis, 11, both of St. Thomas, were killed. The coroner said they were pronounced dead at the scene. “It is with great sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news that two members of our camping community lost their lives during last night’s destructive and devastating storm. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of this mother and son. We extend our deepest condolences to their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them,” a statement from the campground said. Snapped trees, downed wiresMany areas that were hit by Saturday’s strong storms were hit again Sunday night. By Monday morning, there were still more than 100,000 people without power in the Susquehanna Valley. Many traffic lights were still malfunctioning, and crews worked to clear downed trees and lines. Manheim Township was particularly hard hit. Viewers shared dozens of photos and videos showing the damage. The video below shows a large tree that came crashing down along East Roseville Road.The torrential rain opened a sinkhole on Duffield Drive in Lititz. A WGAL viewer said the township inspected it on Sunday, but the rain Sunday night only made it worse. Damage in York, Dauphin counties Fairview Township in York County was also hit hard. County emergency management teams were in the township on Monday, assessing the damage and sending photos to the National Weather Service.Hummelstown, Dauphin County, also saw significant damage. One tree that split damaged the playground at Nye Elementary School. Fallen trees and branches also damaged some homes along High Street. One homeowner told WGAL a tree crashed into the side of her house. She said she heard a loud noise and ran to the basement, thinking a tornado might be coming. She said she began to panic until a neighbor called to tell her there was a tree on the corner of her house. The storm damage was extensive. One neighbor said they counted seven trees that came down, with three hitting their fence and destroying it. Neighbors said the cleanup will not be easy, but they’re getting started. And floodwaters washed out part of North Hanover Street at the train tunnel (see video below).Daily rainfall record brokenSunday’s rain broke a daily rainfall record with 2.05 inches measured at Harrisburg International Airport. The previous record for July 5 was 1.87 inches, set in 2006. WGAL News 8 Storm Team Meteorologist MaryEllen Pann said some parts of the Susquehanna Valley got three, four and even five inches of rain.
Back-to-back nights of severe weather claimed two lives and caused extensive damage across much of South-Central Pennsylvania on Saturday and Sunday.
NOTE | A flood watch is in effect for the entire Susquehanna Valley on Monday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fallen tree kills mother, son
The first round of severe storms hit on the evening of July Fourth.
A tree at the Mountain Creek Campground in Dickinson Township, Cumberland County, crashed down on a tent around 6:20 p.m.
Pamela Landis, 45, and Andre Landis, 11, both of St. Thomas, were killed.
The coroner said they were pronounced dead at the scene.
“It is with great sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news that two members of our camping community lost their lives during last night’s destructive and devastating storm. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of this mother and son. We extend our deepest condolences to their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them,” a statement from the campground said.
Snapped trees, downed wires
Many areas that were hit by Saturday’s strong storms were hit again Sunday night. By Monday morning, there were still more than 100,000 people without power in the Susquehanna Valley.
Many traffic lights were still malfunctioning, and crews worked to clear downed trees and lines.
Manheim Township was particularly hard hit. Viewers shared dozens of photos and videos showing the damage.
The video below shows a large tree that came crashing down along East Roseville Road.
The torrential rain opened a sinkhole on Duffield Drive in Lititz. A WGAL viewer said the township inspected it on Sunday, but the rain Sunday night only made it worse.
Damage in York, Dauphin counties
Fairview Township in York County was also hit hard. County emergency management teams were in the township on Monday, assessing the damage and sending photos to the National Weather Service.
Hummelstown, Dauphin County, also saw significant damage. One tree that split damaged the playground at Nye Elementary School. Fallen trees and branches also damaged some homes along High Street.
One homeowner told WGAL a tree crashed into the side of her house. She said she heard a loud noise and ran to the basement, thinking a tornado might be coming. She said she began to panic until a neighbor called to tell her there was a tree on the corner of her house.
The storm damage was extensive. One neighbor said they counted seven trees that came down, with three hitting their fence and destroying it.
Neighbors said the cleanup will not be easy, but they’re getting started.
And floodwaters washed out part of North Hanover Street at the train tunnel (see video below).
Daily rainfall record broken
Sunday’s rain broke a daily rainfall record with 2.05 inches measured at Harrisburg International Airport. The previous record for July 5 was 1.87 inches, set in 2006.
WGAL News 8 Storm Team Meteorologist MaryEllen Pann said some parts of the Susquehanna Valley got three, four and even five inches of rain.
