National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Quotes a dispatch dated August 19, 1890 (Wilkes-Barre Tornado)

  • ...At 5 o'clock this afternoon the most terrible cyclone that was ever experienced in this locality struck the city. It came up the river, and the suddeness of its coming was one of its most awful features...
  • ...hundreds of houses were unroofed, partially blown over and completely demolished ...
  • ...Passenger trains and locomotives at the depot were blown over...
  • ...Brick dwellings were unroofed and the upper stories torn away and some were leveled to the ground...

Quote (Columbia/Luzerne County Tornado)

  • "At the top of the steep hill which overlooks Pine Creek on the west, was a small house occupied by Geo. Smith, a well digger, and a large family. This house was taken up and carried about 200 feet over a ledge about 1 5 feet in height where it fell as a mass of debris, while household goods and members of the family were scattered all around. George Smith, aged about six years, was reported as having a fracture of the skull, but no others were seriously injured."

Click on a track below to see more information.

Tornado Tracks.

 

A third tornado moved across parts of New Milford/Susquehanna County and occurred about 6 pm that same day.  This tornado tracked about 5 miles. Killed two children leveling two homes and injured 5.  Source: Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991 by Thomas P. Grazulis.

 

References:

 

August 19, 1890 Columbia/Luzerne County Tornado August 19, 1890 Wilkes Barre Tornado