Strong storms rolled through Pennsylvania this afternoon sparking weather watches and warnings. One storm was severe enough to spawn a tornado near the Chester/Berks County border. The tornado touched down in the Morgantown area resulting in wide spread damage. Rescue 53, Squad 53, Utility 53 and the Collapse trailers were dispatched to assist the Twin Valley Fire Department (Station 69) as part of the Chester County Rescue Task Force (CCRTF). Fame units responded with 12 members, many of whom are collapse rescue specialists, technical search specialists and a structural engineer.

Once at the staging area, Station 69’s fire house, crews were given assignments to conduct searches and structural assessments in the Caernarvon Township of Berks County. Crews operated for several hours until darkness set in and operations were scaled back for safety reasons. Fame units were released and returned to West Chester around 11:30 pm.

While there was significant damage, there were no injuries reported.