COLUMBIA, Pa. —
Lancaster County commissioners declared an emergency Friday after a storm caused extensive damage in Columbia Borough, including the collapse of several buildings.
Storm damages Keystone Building
The National Weather Service is investigating whether a tornado struck Columbia, Lancaster County, during Thursday's storm, which caused significant damage, including the partial collapse of the Keystone Building.
Lisa Smith of Columbia described the aftermath of the storm as "incredible" after the Keystone Building partially collapsed. The large structure, which was once a fire hall, fell onto a smaller building that housed a ceramics business during last evening's storm.
Joe Kelly of Mountville said, "It's unbelievable. I can't imagine the noise it made."
Charlie, who was working at the Columbia Mini Market across the street, said he initially thought it was just a thunderstorm. "At that time, I was not scared. I thought it was just a thunderstorm. I got more scared when I went home and saw some videos on my Facebook timeline," Charlie said.
Charlie added that a video he saw later made him think it must have been a tornado that hit Fourth Street.
Weather service investigates possible tornado
A National Weather Service team was in the neighborhood assessing the damage to determine if a tornado touched down in Columbia, as it did in York County. Meteorologist Joe Bauco described the conditions as conducive to severe weather.
"There was a lot of shear in the atmosphere that favored spinning storms capable of producing tornadoes," Bauco said.
Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz expressed his belief that a tornado was responsible for the destruction, noting the unprecedented nature of the event.
"You know, I've been through snowstorms, been through floods, been through fires, but nothing like this," Lutz said.
In response to the storm, county commissioners issued a disaster declaration to better distribute resources.
Shelter relocation
The American Red Cross announced that its shelter, previously located at Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church, has been relocated to Manor Church at 530 Central Manor Road in Lancaster.
The shelter is available for overnight stays, warm meals, and access to recovery resources.
Disaster declaration supports recovery efforts
The countywide disaster declaration followed a local declaration issued by Columbia Borough. According to county officials, the storm left multiple residential buildings uninhabitable and forced some nonresidential structures to close.
Columbia Borough and the Lancaster County Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Management Division recommended that the commissioners issue the declaration.
Officials said the declaration will help the county, Columbia, and other affected municipalities pursue relief and begin recovery efforts more efficiently. It will also assist local governments and property owners seeking state and federal aid.
Resource center to assist affected residents
A recovery resource center will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Columbia Borough Fire Department, 726 Manor St.
Residents affected by the storm are encouraged to contact their insurance providers about damage to homes, vehicles, and businesses. They should bring documentation of uninsured losses to the center, where representatives will provide information about loss mitigation and recovery options.
Resources will also be available through the Lancaster County Office of Aging, Lancaster County Veterans Affairs, and the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Crisis Team. Representatives from other county, municipal, and state agencies are expected to attend.
The county is establishing the center in partnership with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Columbia Borough.
Commissioners to consider ratification
The commissioners are scheduled to vote on ratifying the disaster declaration during their work session Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The National Weather Service is conducting an on-site assessment in Columbia and will release a final report on the storm after its review is completed.
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