The Worst Tornado that Hit Pennsylvania in 1985

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Some say that the tornado of 1985 will forever go down in history as one of the worst natural disasters that have ever occurred in Pennsylvania (Forbes). In reportedly a matter of a few seconds for some towns, the tornado, stubbornly set on its path of destruction, swept through many towns. Despite how long the tornado may had taken to virtually obliterate them, the result was always the same, maximum damage and death (Haas). The ramifications of the tornado caused severe property damage and casualties, which amplified the dire need for aid and forced those who had lost their homes to quickly realize that actions needed to be taken.

Throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania, a reported 21 tornadoes swept through three towns (Haas). Consequently, the tornadoes that rampaged through had caused a grave amount of damage to everyone who was unfortunate enough to be in their paths. Most who speak of these tornadoes often categorize them all into three words, “the Albion tornado,” because Albion was, not only the largest of the three towns hit in Northwestern Pennsylvania, but also the town that had needed the most aid as a result of the damage from these tornadoes. The tornado that had pulverized Albion was in fact, ranked as an F-4 on the Fujita scale (Hahn). To clarify, F-4 tornadoes can have winds ranging from 210 to 260 miles per hour and can without a doubt, have winds so powerful that objects such as cars and tractor trailers could be airborne for distances of 300 feet or less! "It was like a war zone," Tara Miller said to describe the aftermath of the dubbed, "Albion tornado." “There was not one spot that didn’t have damage and rubble spewed about it, from the main streets to the back roads,” Tara she added, over 100 homes were smash...

... middle of paper ...

.... With many natural disasters comes many learned lessons of strength, both physically and mentally, but in order to learn a lesson one must first experience. Discouragement can never become a part of someone because prosperity is always in store for those who truly want it.

Works Cited

Albion Area Disaster News Sheet. Albion: Grace United Methodist Church, E.Pearl and Franklin Streets, 1985. Print

Forbes, Greg Dr. “May 31 - Pennsylvania’s Deadliest Day.” Weather.com. 31 May 2010. Web.

23 April 2014.

http://www.weather.com/blog/weather/8_22011.html

Haas, H Jesse. Killer Tornadoes May 31, 1985. Conneautville: Haas, O Herbert, 1985. Print.

Hahn,Tim. “Community spirit remembered on anniversary of Albion Tornado.” Goerie.com. Erie

Times News, 2010. Web. 27, April 2014.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100531/NEWS02/305289889

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