Blast From The Past: Tornado Touched Down In Eastern Montco

Editor's Note — This is an occasional series recalling historic places and events

UPPER DUBLIN TOWNSHIP, PA — The skies were darkening.

These days, there are constant alerts posted by the National Weather Service and local television channels. But on Sept. 1, 2021, no one expected what was coming because they only appeared in places like Texas, Oklahoma and the Midwest.

The skies were darkening. A tornado was coming.

The tornado was spawned by Hurricane Ida, hitting the township and later Horsham with 130 mph winds.

It came along Route 309 and ripped the roof off the Upper Dublin Township Police Department and damaged the municipal complex.

The tornado carved a path of destruction through the Elliger Park, Stuart Creek, Loch Alsh Avenue, Joel Drive and Maple Glen neighborhoods.

It was around 5:30 p.m. that day when the alert came in.

The tornado was coming toward my townhome complex off Norristown Road, and I had to take immediate shelter.

My wife and cat and I headed into the basement before the power went out. Then there was this hissing and in the little window of my basement, I saw a white funnel roll through the open grass area in my cul-de-sac.

And then I heard, "Snap, Snap, Snap."

Those were my beloved pine trees that came down on the side of my townhouse. The tornado ripped apart streetlamps, trees, and power lines, leaving most of the nearby area without power for four days.

The tornado left destroyed trees everywhere. Those parcels have now been cleared, and townhomes are under construction on both sides of the Maple Glen

The Upper Dublin Township Historic Commission is commemorating the five-year anniversary by posting seven videos of the damage and the stories shared by those who recall the events of that day.

Click here to see some of those videos

(Dino Ciliberti/Patch)