1985 — May 31, Tornadoes, OH (11 fatalities) and PA (65-67 fatalities) –76-78
–76-78 Blanchard tally based on State breakouts below.
— 76 NCDC. “General Summary of Tornadoes, 1985,” Storm Data. V27, N12, Dec 1985, 23.
— 75 Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 1267-1270.
— 75 NWS Weather Forecast Office, Milwaukee/Sullivan. “Famous Large Tornado…” 2005.
— 75 Doyle. “10 Most Destructive Tornadoes From Around…World.” Scienceray, 6-19-2008.
— 74 NCDC. “Tornado Outbreak in the United…” Storm Data, 27/5, May 1985, 5.
Ohio ( 11)
–11 State. Sleptzoff and Dunkle. 1985 Tornado Outbreak Revisited, slide 42.
–11 State. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 45.
— 1 Licking County, near Fallsburg.
–10 Trumbull County, Niles and Hubbard.[1]
— 8 Portage, Trumbull Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, pp. 1267-1270.[2]
Pennsylvania (65-67)
— 67 Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 1267-1270.
— 65 NCDC. “General Summary of Tornadoes, 1985,” Storm Data. V27, N12, Dec 1985, p. 23.
–~65 Titusville Herald (Allison Seib). “Day of Terror – 25th anniversary of 1985 twisters.”
— 65 Sleptzoff and Dunkle. 1985 Tornado Outbreak Revisited, slide 5.
— 63 Gelber, Ben. The Pennsylvania Weather Book. 2002, p. 136.
— 61 Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, pp. 50-51.
Grazulis: (67)
— 9 Beaver, Butler Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, 1267-1270.
— 1 Crawford County 1610 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, 1267-1270.
— 2 Crawford County 1623. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1267-1270.
–16 Crawford, Venango, Forest Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, pp. 1267-1270.
–12 Erie County 1559. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1267-1270.
–10 Erie County 1730. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1267-1270.
— 6 Lycoming, Union, Northumberland Counties. Grazulis. 1993, pp. 1267-1270.
— 7 Venango, Forest Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, 1267-1270.
— 4 Warren, McKean, Elk Counties. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes. 1993, pp. 1267-1270.
NCDC: (61)
— 2 Beaver County, Beaver, 1910-2005 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, 51.[3]
— 1 Beaver County, New Sewickley, 1910-2005 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, 51.
— 2 Butler County, Evans City, 1910-2005 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, p. 51.
— 4 Butler County, Saxonburg, 1910-2005 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, 51.
— 2 Crawford County, Centreville, 1623-1655 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, p.51.
— 1 Crawford County, 1610-1615 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, 50.[4]
— 3 Crawford County, Atlantic, 1620-1730 EST. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, 51.[5]
— 3 Crawford Co., Cochranton, 1620-1730 EST. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 51.
— 3 Elk, McKean and Warren Counties, 1950-2040 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, 1985, 51.
— 9 Erie County, Albion. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 50.[6]
— 3 Erie County, Cranesville. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 50.[7]
— 7 Forest County, Tionesta, 1620-1730 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, p. 51.
— 2 Lycoming County. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 50.
— 7 Mercer County, 1740-1820 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, p. 51.[8]
— 2 Northumberland County. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 50.
— 2 Union County. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 50.
— 2 Venango County, Cherry Tree, 1620-1730 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, 51.
— 5 Venango County, Cooperstown, 1620-1730 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, May 1985, 51.
— 1 Venango Co., near Franklin, trailer park, 1620-1730 EST. NCDC. Storm Data. 27/5, 51.
Sleptzoff and Dunkle. 1985 Tornado Outbreak Revisited, slide 5. (65)
–12 Erie County. Sleptzoff and Dunkle. 1985 Tornado Outbreak Revisited, slide 38.
Narrative Information
Doyle: “In the late afternoon-evening of May 31, 1985 a series of deadly tornadoes push a path of nearly mind boggling devastation as on this day out of the 41 tornadoes reported a total of 27 tornadoes struck a powerful one-two punch to the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Hundreds of buildings and homes were damaged or completely leveled, which totaled more than $450 million dollars in property damage. There was even a higher loss of life in which 75 deaths and 1,025 injuries were reported to authorities.” (Doyle 2008)
Grazulis: “OH-PA MAY 31, 1985 1559 12k 82 inj 400y 14m F4. ASHTABULA,OH /ERIE,PA — A major tornado first touched down 2m W of the Pennsylvania state line, SE of Monroe Center, Ohio. In Ohio, 10 mobile homes were destroyed or damaged, trees were downed and poles were snapped. The tornado moved ENE into Pennsylvania, NW of Pennside and through Albion, to 3m ENE of Cranesville. In Albion, the tornado devastated an area eight to ten blocks long and about two blocks wide, through the center of town. Two trailer parks were leveled as well. Nine deaths occurred in the town. In Cranesville, two more trailer parks were ravaged, with more three deaths and 13 destroyed trailers….
“PA MAY 31, 1985 1610 lk O inj 200y 4m F2. CRAWFORD… Moved ENE from the Pymatuning Reservoir to north of Linesville. After moving ashore, this tornado struck homes and campgrounds. About 75 to 80 campsites were damaged, as were several permanent homes. A woman was killed when she was crushed beneath her travel trailer. Two trailer homes were swept away, and a house, barn, garage, and other buildings were damaged.
“OH-PA MAY 31, 1985 1617 16k 125 inj 350y 56m F4. TRUMBULL/OH; MERCER/ CRAWFORD/VENANGO/FOREST, PA… Moved ENE from the extreme NE corner of Trumbull County. The tornado was on the ground for only a few hundred yards in Ohio, and damaged some farm buildings and trees. Moving ENE in Pennsylvania, it passed through northern parts of Jamestown, and Atlantic and Cochranton, both in Crawford County. In Venango County, it hit parts of Hannasville, Cooperstown, and Cherry Tree. It finally narrowed as it turned SE, ending 4m S of Tionesta. Three homes were destroyed at Jamestown. The tornado then struck along Hwy-322, destroying homes and businesses. Two mobile homes were blown 100 feet across the road and into an embankment….A tavern was destroyed, but the patrons survived with only a few injuries since they dropped to the floor. A church was unroofed, and four homes and a trailer were destroyed along Snake Road. In Atlantic, five people were killed when a house near the entrance to a trailer park was destroyed. A chair factory was leveled. The Atlantic Feed and Grain Mill was destroyed, and looters drove off with truckloads of grain. A post office building was destroyed, as was an old school. A 312-foot-tall microwave communications tower, built to withstand winds of 200 mph, was toppled lm E of Atlantic. Further east, 5m N of Sheakleyville, a tavern and a motel were heavily damaged, resulting in a fatality. A church in Cochranton and a trailer park near Cooperstown were heavily damaged. Two houses and 11 trailers were destroyed at a trailer park between Dempsey town and Cherry Tree, leaving five dead. A poultry farm lost 160,000 birds and 100,000 eggs that were hatching in eight brooders. $5,000,000.
“PA MAY 31, 1985 1623 2k inj 275y 23m F3. CRAWFORD…Moved ENE from 2m S of Saegertown to Woodcock Dam, to 2m ENE of Centreville. This tornado hit a ranger’s home at the Army Corps of Engineers Station at Woodcock Creek Lake, and rolled the ranger’s car 100 feet. The deaths occurred at Centreville….
“PA MAY 31, 1985 1730 7k 30inj 800y 29m F4. VENANGO/FOREST… Moved E from WNW of Tionesta, German Hill, Stan, Green Hill, Whig Hill, Kellettville, to 7m NE of Marienville, near Pigeon. All seven deaths occurred in the German Hill area. Over 700 structures were damaged, and 125 of them were destroyed. A car was blown 100 yards off Hwy-36, and its three occupants killed. Fourteen of the 17 trailers at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center were destroyed.
“OH-PA MAY 31, 1985 1730 18k 310 inj 400y 47m F5. PORTAGE/TRUMBULL, OH/ MERCER, PA…A maxi-tornado touched down 1.5m N of Charlestown in the Ravenna Arsenal in Portage County, and moved E, entering Trumbull County. The tornado destroyed much of the town of Newton Falls, having passed through its center. It continued E through northern Lordstown, Niles, the center of Coalburg, and northern portions of Hubbard. The storm path was continuous, and destruction was total in many areas. All of the deaths occurred in the Niles and Hubbard area. Most of the deaths were in the Top of the Strip Mall area on state Hwy- 46 in Niles (F5). Another woman died in Niles when she suffered a heart attack upon reviewing the destruction of her home after the storm. This death should not be counted. The injury total is approximate, and may be slightly higher. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, and more than a thousand others were damaged. Public buildings, schools and businesses also sustained serious damage. Damage estimates totaled more than $60,000,000 in Ohio, where eight people died and 250 were injured along the 33-mile-long path.
“The tornado entered Pennsylvania lm W of Wheatland, and continued E to 2m SSW of Mercer. It produced F5 damage as it passed through Wheatland, destroying or badly damaging many businesses. The building of one trucking company had all of its sheet-metal roofing and walls torn away, and the steel-girder frame was “twisted like a pretzel.” Thirty tractor-trailers, valued at $60,000 apiece, were housed in the structure, and were either damaged or destroyed. A church and at least 50 homes were destroyed in Wheatland. About 95% of the town’s industry was destroyed, costing 500 jobs in a community of 1,122 people. Seven people were killed in Wheatland, and at least 32 were injured. Further east in Hermitage, another trucking company and a steel-processing business were heavily damaged. A construction-maintenance garage housing 20 vehicles, some valued at $100,000, was demolished. Hermitage had six businesses and 71 homes destroyed or damaged. A hangar and four planes were destroyed at the Hermitage Airport, and a trailer was then picked up and set down on the hangar rubble. A wing from one of the planes was carried 10 miles to Mercer. Fifteen homes were destroyed, and 30 more were damaged in the Greenfield area….
“PA MAY 31, 1985 1900 4k 40inj 1000y 29m F4. WARREN/MCKEAN/ELK…Moved ESE from 4m S of Sheffield to the SE part of Kane, Burning Well, Elk State Park, to 6m ENE of Instanter. The worst damage was at Kane, where the schools incurred $3,000,000 damage, three businesses were destroyed, and 99 homes were made uninhabitable. A church in East Kane had only steps left. Scores of vehicles were crushed under collapsed garages. Deaths were in frame homes and trailers. $15,000,000.
“PA MAY 31, 1985 1910 9k 120 inj 275y 39m F3. BEAVER /BUTLER… A tornado started 2m W of Darlington, passed north of Beaver Falls, through southern portions of Zelienople, near Evans City and Saxonburg, and ended lm S of Sarver. It struck the Big Beaver Borough Shopping Plaza on Hwy-18, north of West Mayfield, causing extensive damage to all 14 shops. Twelve of the stores were totally destroyed, as only brick walls were left standing. Two people were killed at the shopping center, which was filled with hundreds of shoppers. More than 100 cars in the parking lot were either damaged or destroyed.
“Across the Allegheny River from the shopping plaza, 16 antique cars were demolished in a storage garage on River Road. At the intersection of Hwys-588 and 65, a drive-in, a service station, three homes, and two other businesses were destroyed. There were some occupied cars at the drive-in, but no one was killed and only one person was injured critically. A van traveling south on 1-79 was picked up by the tornado and thrown a quarter mile from the road. The van was demolished, but the family inside was thrown free of the vehicle and survived. In Evans City, a trailer park was leveled, and two men were killed when their trailer home along Water Station Road was demolished. Forty homes were damaged between Mars and Callery. Fallout in the form of pink insulation material, roof shingles and pieces of metal accompanied a green sky about three minutes prior to the tornado’s arrival in the area. A baby sitter and a young girl were killed in a house near Saxonburg. In all, there were nine deaths, two at the shopping center, one in North Sewickley Township (where a man was struck by flying debris), two at Evans City, and four near Saxonburg. There was $10,000,000 damage in Beaver County.” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, p. 1267-1270)
“PA MAY 31, 1985 2025 6k 60inj 900y 19m F4. LYCOMING/UNION/Northumberland …A tornado moved ESE from lm W of Bastress, passed over North White Deer Ridge, and continued to 3m NE of Watsontown. It lifted momentarily as it crossed the ridge, but later widened to 1.5 miles as it crossed the Susquehanna River. In Union County, 48 of 60 campers were destroyed at the Hidden Creek campground, and the remainder were damaged. An 83-year-old woman survived in her mobile home when it was blown over an 80 foot cliff and landed in a tree. A total of 48 campers, eight homes, three mobile homes, and 18 vehicles were destroyed in Union County, and five homes received minor damage. In Northumberland County, 30 mobile homes were destroyed at a park near Dewart. Two businesses, 140 mobile homes, 77 homes, a church, 28 barns, nine silos and 28 garages were either damaged or destroyed. In all, at least 190 structures and 50 vehicles, including four school buses, were damaged or destroyed. Thousands of trees were uprooted or snapped off, and six people were killed, all female and two in each county. Three of the deaths occurred in trailer homes, two in houses and one in a camper. The injuries resulted from flying or falling debris, and persons being caught in overturning mobile homes or campers. Thirty-five farms were destroyed or heavily damaged, and at least 12 cows were killed. Damage estimates for the three counties ran $16,000,000, with at least $2,000,000 and $10,000,000 in Union and Northumberland Counties, respectively.” (Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes, 1993, p. 1267-1270)
NCDC: “On the afternoon of May 31st, thunderstorms along and ahead of a strong cold front produced the most devastating outbreak of tornadoes since the Superoutbreak of April 3-4, 1974. Most of the tornadoes occurred in two separate areas, one between Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay in Canada, ant the other centered in northwestern Pennsylvania…Of the 41 tornadoes mapped, 1 was F5, 9 were F4, 1`1 F3, 9 F2, 9 F1, and only 2 were F0. 74 deaths and over 850 injuries occurred in the United States alone.” (NCDC. “Tornado Outbreak in the United States and Canada on May 31, 1985.” Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 5.)
Sources
Doyle, Nelson. “10 Most Destructive Tornadoes From Around the World.” Scienceray, 6-19-2008. Accessed at: http://www.scienceray.com/Earth-Sciences/Meteorology/10-Most-Destructive-Tornadoes-From-Around-the-World.142263
Gelber, Ben. The Pennsylvania Weather Book. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2002. Google preview at: http://books.google.com/books?id=34RKv9fMFo4C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes Update 1680-1991. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993.
National Climatic Data Center. “General Summary of Tornadoes, 1985,” Storm Data. Vol. 27, N12, Dec 1985, p. 23. Accessed 7-23-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-7204E9C9-C22F-4440-8800-A79D8C79313D.pdf
National Climatic Data Center. “Tornado Outbreak in the United States and Canada on May 31, 1985.” Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 5, May 1985, p. 5. Accessed 7-8-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-97EB5B93-FB2D-429C-9DA8-A25254120724.pdf
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI. Famous Large Tornado Outbreaks in the United States. NWS, NOAA, DOC. November 2, 2005 modification. Accessed at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/climate/torout.php
Sleptzoff, Nick (former EMA Director Erie County, PA) and Tim Dunkle (former EMA Director Venango County, PA). 1985 Tornado Outbreak Revisited (slide presentation, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency “Partners in Professionalism” conference, Sept. 28-30-2009. Accessed 7-9-2014 at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/cle/office/localinterest/1985Tornado/1985%20Tornado%20Final%5B1%5D.pdf
Titusville Herald (Allison Seib). “Day of Terror – 25th anniversary of 1985 twisters” (Part 2 of 3). 5-28-2010. Accessed 7-9-2014 at: http://www.titusvilleherald.com/articles/2010/05/29/news/news01.txt
[1] “A maxi tornado touched down at the east end of the Ravenna Arsenal in Portage County. The storm moved east, entering Trumbull County around 1740EST. The storm destroyed much of the town of Newton Falls and continued east through Lordstown, Niles and Hubbard before moving into Pennsylvania and causing serious damage at Wheatland. The storm path was continuous and destruction was total in many areas. All of the deaths [10] occurred in Niles and Hubbard. Most of the deaths were in the Top of the Strip Mall area on State Route 46 in Niles. Another woman died in Niles when she suffered a heart attack upon reviewing the destruction of her home after the storm had moved out of the area. The injury count [440] is approximate and may be slightly higher. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and more than a thousand others damaged….”
[2] Grazulis probably did not include the heart attack fatality noted by the NCDC, which occurred afterwards.
[3] At a shopping center. “All fourteen shops at the shopping center were damaged extensively. More than 100 cars in the parking lot were damaged or destroyed.”
[4] “A tornado touched down at the north shore of Pymatuning Reservoir, near Linesville, and moved four miles east-northeast. A woman was crushed under a trailer.”
[5] Notes that “Atlantic was almost completely destroyed.”
[6] “In Albion, an eight to ten block area and two trailer parks were leveled, with nine dead.”
[7] “In Cranesville, two trailer parks were destroyed with three deaths and thirteen trailers destroyed. There were 82 injuries and 309 buildings damaged or destroyed.”
[8] “A tornado that started in Ravenna Arsenal, Ohio (Portage County), moved through Wheatland, Pa. to two miles southwest of Mercer. Over 100 buildings were leveled, and several industrial facilities were severely damaged in the Wheatland area. About 59 other homes were also damaged.”