Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Issued by NWS Pittsburgh, PA
735 NOUS41 KPBZ 222333 PNSPBZ PAZ014-029-231145- PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 733 PM EDT Thu May 22 2025 ...NWS Damage Survey for 05/21/2025 Tornado Event Update #1... .Update... Added survey information for the Houston to Finleyville Tornado. This brings the total tornado count from May 21 to three. .Northvue Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.36 miles Path Width /maximum/: 160 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/21/2025 Start Time: 04:37 PM EDT Start Location: 2 NW Northvue / Butler County / PA Start Lat/Lon: 40.9381 N / 79.9633 W End Date: 05/21/2025 End Time: 04:39 PM EDT End Location: 2 NW Northvue / Butler County / PA End Lat/Lon: 40.9384 N / 79.9565 W Survey Summary: A closed-circuit security video captured a tornado forming northwest of Northvue, causing the roof to lift off of the Center Township salt dome and depositing it in the parking lot behind the facility. The first sign of damage was north of Unionville Road, where a handful of trees (less than five) had large branches down and one was uprooted. The worst damage happened to the salt dome as described above. The only other damage nearby was to a few hardwood trees that had large limbs broken off. The tornado weakened in an open field just northeast of the salt dome facility. .West Sunbury Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.25 miles Path Width /maximum/: 210 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/21/2025 Start Time: 04:40 PM EDT Start Location: 2 NE Jamisonville / Butler County / PA Start Lat/Lon: 40.9639 N / 79.8913 W End Date: 05/21/2025 End Time: 04:41 PM EDT End Location: 2 NE Jamisonville / Butler County / PA End Lat/Lon: 40.9651 N / 79.8869 W Several hardwood trees had large limbs broken off along a path in the 250-280 section of Mack Road in West Sunbury, PA. This was caused by a different circulation than the prior tornado. The damage was off Mack Road and was provided by drone video to the National Weather Service since the area is not accessible by vehicle. With the two confirmed tornadoes, this brings the total number of tornadoes in Butler County to 28 since 1888. The last tornado in the county was an EF0 on October 21st, 2021. The National Weather Service would like to thank Butler County Emergency Management Agency and the public for their assistance with this survey. .Houston to Finleyville Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 14.5 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/21/2025 Start Time: 04:57 PM EDT Start Location: 1 WNW Allison Park / Washington County / PA Start Lat/Lon: 40.2375 N / 80.2618 W End Date: 05/21/2025 End Time: 05:21 PM EDT End Location: Finleyville / Washington County / PA End Lat/Lon: 40.2598 N / 80.0000 W A tornado produced sporadic damage along a 14.5 mile path beginning near Houston, PA and finally dissipating 24 minutes later in Finleyville, PA. The initial damage occurred near Allison Hollow Rd where large broken limbs were broken from hardwood trees. The tornado continued east, uprooting trees along Irwin Ave before crossing Locust Ave and Walnut Street in Houston where large hardwoods were snapped and softwoods were uprooted. Shingles were removed from several homes, a lamppost was bent, a stop sign left leaning, and a large metal porch awning was removed from the back of a home. This area was where peak intensity was observed before weakening near the Chartiers-Houston Junior/Senior High School. The circulation periodically weakened and reintensified along the remainder of its path. Notable damage was observed along Linden Creek Rd where wheat was laid over, a barn lost shingles, and a narrow path of damage to hardwood trees was found. The circulation paralleled Venetia Rd where sporadic tree damage was observed. Modest intensification occurred near Finleyville where a few uprooted and snapped trees were observed, and a three story apartment building lost siding on its western face. The tornado dissipated close to PA Route 88. Several parts of the track crossed areas inaccessible to the ground-based survey team. Final results of the survey are pending any additional damage reports provided to NWS. This brings the total number of tornadoes on record in Washington County to 20. The last tornado in the county was an EF0 last week on May 16, 2025. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0.....65 to 85 mph EF1.....86 to 110 mph EF2.....111 to 135 mph EF3.....136 to 165 mph EF4.....166 to 200 mph EF5.....>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ Kramar/Rackley