Officials: About 90 Homes Affected By Tornado
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) --- An apparent tornado wreaked havoc in Hempfield Township and surrounding areas.
According to Dan Stevens, director of public safety in Westmoreland County, about 90 homes were affected by the storms on Wednesday evening. Thirty houses were completely destroyed.
"Those are huge numbers for a storm that came through as fast as it did," Stevens said.
KDKA's Ralph Iannotti reports 11 homes were damaged on Fosterville Road in the Fort Allen neighborhood.
The degree of damaged varied for the homes. Some were completely obliterated while others lost their rooftops.
The safety officer with the Fort Allen Volunteer Fire Department said only one person was injured. A woman suffered a cut on her nose when she was hit by flying glass.
"No one is injured, there are no fatalities because of this," he said. "This is a miracle storm."
Tim Agnolucci, who lives on Fosterville Road, went to the basement with his wife. He says he saw funnel clouds.
"The only thing I can say right now is thank God nobody's hurt," he said.
State police are patrolling all damaged areas to curb looting.
"There's some bad people out there that just feel it's their right and duty to go out and try to profit on somebody else's loss," Stevens said.
Authorities are operating on a zero tolerance policy.
"If you're out there and you're not from that particular neighborhood, you will be arrested," Stevens said.
PHOTO GALLERY: Tornado Causes Turmoil In Hempfield Township
