Officials from Bucks County Emergency Management Agency will join state and local officials this morning to begin assessing damage from a pair of suspected tornadoes that tore through parts of the county Thursday evening.
The heaviest damage appears to have occurred in the Trevose section of Bensalem Township, where an apparent tornado ripped across Street Road just after 7 p.m., collapsing a car dealership and overturning mobile homes along its path. Several injuries have been reported.
Earlier in the evening, another funnel was spotted in Upper Bucks. Numerous trees and wires are down in the area of Solebury and New Hope. Officials are working to uncover the extent of the damage.
In addition to municipal officials and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the county is working with the American Red Cross as well as the National Weather Service.
NWS representatives are expected in Bucks today to investigate tornado reports.
Thursday’s storms were the second weather event to wreak havoc in Lower Bucks in less than three weeks. Just hours before Thursday’s storms entered the area, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved a request from Gov. Tom Wolf to make low-interest loans available to victims of July 12’s damaging floods in Bensalem, Bristol Borough and Bristol Township.
Anyone in need of shelter after Thursday’s storms can contact the American Red Cross for assistance at 1-800-733-2767 (select option four).
Residents and business owners should report damage from Thursday’s storms to municipal officials.
Municipal officials should report damage to Bucks County Emergency Management by emailing [email protected] or calling 215-340-8700.
Media Contact: James O’Malley, 215-348-6414, [email protected]