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.

Fields at JDS Family Farm in North Londonderry Township, pictured here in a LebTown file photo. The farmer’s market, which is located across the street from the farm and to the left in this photo, is a barn that the family purchased and relocated to their property in North Londonderry Township. (Will Trostel)
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

Support local journalism.

Cancel anytime.

Monthly

🌟 Annual

$49.99/year

Already a member? Login here

Free news isn’t cheap. If you value the journalism LebTown provides to the community, then help us make it sustainable by becoming a champion of local news. You can unlock additional coverage for the community by supporting our work with a one-time contribution, or joining as a monthly or annual member. You can cancel anytime.

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Davis Shaver is the publisher of LebTown. He grew up in Lebanon and currently lives outside of Hershey, PA.

Comments

LebTown membership required to comment.

Monthly

🌟 Annual

$49.99/year

Already a member? Login here

Leave a comment

Your email address will be kept private.