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Tornado Upends Trees, Damages Roofs In Berks County: NWS

The severe thunderstorms and heavy winds that rained out Berks County over the weekend were accompanied by an EF-1 tornado, the National Weather Service has confirmed. 

This National Weather Service graphic shows the approximate path and width of the April 22 Berks County tornado.

This National Weather Service graphic shows the approximate path and width of the April 22 Berks County tornado.

Photo Credit: National Weather Service

The twister traveled about a mile through Womelsdorf on Saturday, April 22 in about a two-minute span, meteorologists said in a report published Tuesday. It began at 4:18 p.m. just southwest of the borough along Route 419, pushing over wooden telephone poles near the Lebanon County line as it made its way northeast, NWS wrote. 

The storm mangled and uprooted some softwood trees near Conrad Weiser West Elementary School, where it reached its top windspeed of 90 mph and its maximum width of 125 yards, meteorologists reported. 

The tornado then passed through a nearby field, upending a set of bleachers, and continued on its northeasterly path into central Womelsdorf, NWS wrote. 

In the borough, trees and structures suffered minor damage, with roofing material being blown off garages, homes, and barns, officials said. Collateral damage to cars and homes from windswept debris was also reported. 

Property damage and upended trees were visible in photos posted by Mertztown-based storm chaser Justin Selig on Facebook. 

The tornado finally dissipated in Womelsdorf Union Cemetery at about 4:20 p.m., NWS said. No injuries were reported as a result of the storm. 

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