After Action Review: Severe Storm, July 3, 2025, Northeast Pennsylvania.
On Thursday, July 3, 2025, my AO experienced hot weather followed by a suspected microburst or EF-0 tornado around 1515 EDT. My wife and I had just gotten into the truck for last-minute Independence Day shopping when the storm hit. It began as a thunderstorm but quickly escalated to estimated 80 mph winds. My weather station, which caps at 50 mph, recorded that maximum, and reported 2.3 inches of rain. The storm subsided by 1545 EDT.
After the storm passed, I assisted Mrs. Mac into the house and used the local amateur radio repeater to gather information. I then assessed the damage outside:
> No electricity.
> Trees snapped like twigs, many uprooted with root balls exposed.
> Our two-track dirt township road was blocked by downed trees.
> Numerous trees were leaning on electrical lines.
> My neighbor lost live stock 50% of his fencing due to fallen trees.
> No damage to my house, outbuildings, or vehicles.
> No damage to my neighbor?s home, barn, or outbuildings.
My neighbor and I cleared trees from our township road out to the state dirt road. Looking south and north, we saw only downed trees and electrical wires. The utility pole at the corner of our township and state roads was snapped in half, with wires scattered.
I returned home and prepared dinner, grateful that our solar panels were intact and operational. I connected an analog telephone to report the downed pole (pole #XYZ) to our rural electric co-op, hearing a recording that 648 customers were without power. I left a message, flipped switches to power essentials like Starlink, and cooked dinner: Italian pork sausage links on grilled rolls with Italian gravy. We lit three Aladdin lamps, tuned the radio to Sirius, and used our propane stove, which requires no electricity due to its pilot light. We retired around 2200 EDT.
At approximately 1930 EDT, I spoke via the Broome County, New York's, main repeater with the RACES Emergency Coordinator. He reported that Johnson City and eastern Binghamton, NY were heavily impacted, with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) calling it a microburst, though he suspected an EF-0 or EF-1 tornado. NOAA would assess the damage and make a formal determination after extensive review.
On July 4, I woke at 0500 EDT to assist with radio communications for a 5K and 10K run at the county seat by 0700 EDT. I lit the Aladdin lamps, brewed coffee using our Mr. Coffee maker, and showered (water pump and heater also solar-powered). Expecting road blockages, I was surprised to find a path truck wide cleared through the trees along the 4-mile mountain road to town, thanks to the volunteer fire company's efforts until midnight. I'll send them a thank-you card with a donation next week.
While many roads in our hamlet were blocked, I navigated to the south of town, where there was no damage, and reached the county seat about 30-miles away without issues. On my return, I picked up emergency supplies for neighbors. The storm's impact became clearer: downed trees, power lines, destroyed corn crops, gardens, and fruit trees, and many closed township and state roads. With delivering supplies the return to home took longer than expected.
A supervisor from the rural electric co-op visited to check on us and our neighbor, estimating power restoration by Tuesday, July 8, with intermittent service for two weeks as they reroute and replace lines. Later, we visited friends east of us, a normally 50-minute drive that took 1.5 hours due to detours. They had power. Back home, I lit four Aladdin lamps, turned on the Sirius radio, poured a glass of wine, and fell asleep in my La-Z-Boy, accidentally spilling the wine. Mrs. Mac quipped, "That's God's way of saying, go to bed."
We retired, and at 0600 EDT on July 5, our dog W3OOF woke me to go outside. I returned to bed and slept until 0920 EDT.
Hopefully this AAR helps you with your preps for an emergency that will happen.
73
