The National Weather Service in State College confirmed Friday morning that the damage at JDS Family Farm in North Londonderry Township was caused by a downburst event.
Downbursts are ground-level wind systems that can emerge from a thunderstorm, when a column of air rapidly descends and then hits the ground, spreading outward and dispersing strong, damaging winds.
As reported by ABC 27 Thursday, the Wednesday evening storm caused severe damage at the historic farm, located near the intersection of Plaza and Parliament drives, which LebTown profiled last year for its exceptional work at sustaining an agricultural business – an island among a sea of residential development.
Read More: Fifth-generation JDS Family Farm is an island in a sea of local development
ABC 27 caught the immense cleanup effort underway Wednesday. During the downburst, wind snapped a pine tree, causing it to fall into a farm house and leaving severe damage, and also blew the roof off a barn.
Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services assisted the National Weather Service in its survey of the damage, which saw debris carried up to 125 yards downwind. The National Weather Service reported that a trailer, a wagon, and other farm equipment were flipped or damage due to the wind, with a maximum footprint of wind damage of 350 yards long by 200 yards wide.
The downburst took place around 6:04 p.m. Wednesday, producing estimated winds of 70-80 mph, equivalent to an EF0 tornado.
North Londonderry Township assistant manager Kris Troup said that downed branches were reported in the township following Wednesday night’s storm, but no other damage was seen elsewhere similar to what the JDS Family Farm endured.
Fifth-generation farmer Joel Smith told LebTown Friday morning that the farm’s store (605 Plaza Drive) will be open Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pickups are also available, mostly all-day six-days-a-week, through the farm’s website, JDSFamilyFarm.com.
With many community members wanting to support the farm following Wednesday’s storm, Smith said that beef and produce purchase are the best way to support JDS Family Farm. You can shop the store’s online selection here.
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