Storm Uproots Trees in Pottsville; Home Severely Damaged

A home in the Forest Hills section of Pottsville was severely damaged Thursday morning when a tree fell on its roof during a severe thunderstorm.

At least two large trees were felled on Timber Rd., completely uprooted. Widespread damage across this area of the city was also noted.

Trees Uprooted in Pottsville

On Timber Rd., a pair of large trees were ripped down by intense winds during Thursday morning’s storm.

“I heard the storm hit,” Harold Shuman said outside his mother-in-law’s house on Timber Rd., where an uprooted tree barely missed doing more extensive damage.

“It sounded like a freight train for about 20 seconds,” he said, “and then I didn’t hear anything. I said, wow, that’s a really, really strong wind.”

Home Severely Damaged, 4 Displaced

Next door to that house, however, a large tree was uprooted and fell into the house at 18 Timber Rd. The tree that fell was actually in front of the home at 26 Timber Rd.

Pottsville Fire Chief Jim Misstishin believes the home is unlivable due to severe truss damage. Part of a felled tree was into one of the bedrooms in the home, he said.

A vehicle parked in the driveway was also severely damaged when part of the tree fell on it, too.

Misstishin said four people were inside the home at the time of the storm and will need to be relocated. He said he contacted American Red Cross to assist with their needs.

Pottsville Fire Dept. crews from Yorkville Hose Co., American Hose Co., and Good Intent Fire Co. responded to the scene in Forest Hills Thursday.

Power Outages, Trees Down, Wires Down

In all of Schuylkill County, trees and wires were reported down across a wide area. Some roads were flooded and closed. The Canary also witnessed a vehicle up an embankment on Route 61 North between Cressona and Pottsville.

Thousands of PPL Electric customers lost power due to a severe thunderstorm that struck before 8 a.m. Thursday.