Anthony Williams said severe storms damaged Eastern York High School in Columbia, PA, on Thursday, and some staff and student-athletes who were on site took refuge in the gym. No injuries were reported at the school, while students were being reunited with their families Thursday afternoon.
Williams, who is emergency management coordinator for several communities in eastern York County, said the storm hit while people were still on site for various activities. Crews were using the high school parking lot as a staging area on Aug. 20, and damage was visible to the roof and exterior HVAC equipment.
York County damage in Lower Windsor Township
York County 911 received a call about a structure collapse in the 400 block of Winding Way in Lower Windsor Township, where up to five townhomes suffered damage. Parts of walls and roofs collapsed in the townhouse development, and windows were blown out. Matthew Teare, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College, said, "We'll have to look at the damage more later on," as crews continued assessing the area.
One injury was reported at about 6 p.m. in a nearby neighborhood, creating a split outcome from the school damage, where no injuries were reported. The state Department of Transportation closed East Prospect Road near Cabin Creek Road because of the storm damage, and Fritzi Schreffler said the agency was not expecting any more severe weather that evening, only showers.
Thursday and Lancaster County
The line of storms kept moving east through Lancaster County after crossing York County, and first responders were still checking buildings and roads as the afternoon wore on. That left the immediate job in York County focused on damage assessments, traffic control, and getting families back together at the school.
