The stronger tornado touched down south of Wrightsville at 4:24 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, carving a 1.07-mile path through eastern York County before lifting just two minutes later, according to the NWS damage survey.
Just four minutes after that tornado lifted, an EF1 with estimated peak winds of 100 mph touched down in Columbia Borough, where buildings collapsed, homes were left uninhabitable, and the damage ultimately prompted a Lancaster County-wide disaster declaration.
One person was injured between the two tornadoes. No deaths were reported.
EF2 Tears Roofs Off Eastern York High School
The York County tornado reached a maximum width of 100 yards as it traveled east, initially snapping about five trees near the end of Vista Lane, the NWS said.
Sporadic tree damage continued toward Picturesque Drive before the tornado slammed into Eastern York High School at 720 Cool Creek Road.
There, the tornado fully ripped the roofs off multiple classrooms, according to the survey.
The school's auditorium also sustained significant damage, with part of its roof torn off and bricks along the top of a wall shifted from their original location.
About 50 student-athletes were practicing in the gym at the time, but none of the students or several staff members elsewhere in the school were injured, according to the York County Office of Emergency Management.
Police, firefighters, and school administrators worked to reunite the athletes with their families, completing the process at 5:46 p.m.
Tornado Damages Homes, Injures Resident
After striking the school, the EF2 continued east along Winding Way, damaging windows and siding on multiple homes.
One person was injured when a window was blown into a house, the NWS said. County officials previously said the resident was taken to an area hospital with a minor injury.
At least 13 residents were displaced from six damaged townhomes, prompting a request for assistance from the American Red Cross.
The tornado then flattened crops in a field east of the homes before lifting prior to reaching Chateau Circle at 4:26 p.m.
EF1 Tears Through Columbia
At approximately 4:30 p.m., an EF1 tornado touched down in Columbia Borough in Lancaster County.
The tornado packed estimated peak winds of 100 mph, reached a maximum width of 100 yards, and remained on the ground for 1.47 miles before lifting at 4:32 p.m., according to the NWS.
Its damage path began near Walnut and Fourth streets, where part of the second-story brick wall of an old firehouse collapsed onto Avenue H and a neighboring store. The firehouse roof and another nearby roof were also torn off.
The tornado continued southeast through Columbia, collapsing several small outbuildings near Avenue K before moving along Malt Avenue, where numerous tree limbs snapped and roofs sustained minor damage.
It then crossed the Columbia Reading Railway, snapping large trees along Manor Street and Furnace Avenue.
The tornado continued through woods south of town and across Blue Lane, where numerous trees were uprooted or snapped, before lifting prior to Richland Drive.
No injuries or deaths were reported from the Columbia tornado.
Lancaster County Declares Disaster
The destruction in Columbia was severe enough that Lancaster County Commissioners declared a countywide disaster on Friday.
The declaration followed Columbia Borough's own emergency declaration, which went into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Officials said some buildings in Columbia completely collapsed, multiple residential buildings were deemed uninhabitable, and some non-residential structures were forced to close.
The borough and Lancaster County Department of Public Safety's Emergency Management Division recommended the countywide declaration because of the extent of the damage.
The declaration allows Columbia, Lancaster County, and other affected municipalities to more efficiently seek relief and begin recovery efforts. It also helps the county, borough, and property owners begin seeking state and federal assistance.
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote to ratify the declaration during its Tuesday, Aug. 25, work session.
Recovery Center Opening For Storm Victims
Lancaster County, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and Columbia Borough plan to open a Recovery Resource Center from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Columbia Borough Fire Department, 726 Manor St.
Residents with damage are encouraged to contact their insurance companies about losses to homes, vehicles, and businesses before visiting the center and bring documentation of any uninsured losses.
Representatives will be available to discuss loss mitigation and recovery options, with additional resources offered through county, municipal, and state agencies.
Columbia's initial state of emergency was accompanied by a 10 p.m. curfew Thursday as crews worked to secure the borough. Residents were warned to stay away from downed wires, damaged trees and buildings, and emergency operations.
An emergency shelter was also established at St. Peter's Parish Hall.
Roads Closed, Thousands Lose Power
PennDOT announced road closures in the region as crews worked to clear storm damage and debris.
The storms also triggered widespread power outages, prompting PPL and Met-Ed to dispatch crews to restore service.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday night that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency was tracking reports of tornadoes and significant damage in York and Lancaster counties and that his administration had contacted local officials to offer assistance.
The NWS thanked York and Lancaster counties' emergency management officials, Columbia Borough police, local homeowners, and Millersville University students for helping with the damage surveys.
The findings remain preliminary pending final review and publication in NWS Storm Data.
The York County Office of Emergency Management launched a website for property owners to report damage. Click here to take the survey.
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