PRINTER'S NO. 4185
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1144
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY PASHINSKI, HENNESSEY, READSHAW, BIZZARRO, QUIGLEY,
KINSEY, BURNS, HILL-EVANS, NEILSON, SONNEY, DUSH,
SCHLOSSBERG, THOMAS, DRISCOLL, COX, YOUNGBLOOD, BOBACK,
MILLARD, MARSICO, DALEY, BARRAR, DiGIROLAMO, MALONEY,
J. HARRIS, J. McNEILL, B. O'NEILL, MULLERY, GOODMAN, KAUFER,
TOOHIL, EVERETT, SNYDER, KORTZ, SCHWEYER, JOZWIAK AND
DERMODY, OCTOBER 9, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 9, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the hard work and dedication of the first
responders, members of local law enforcement, emergency
management agencies, utility workers and township and county
officials who responded to the large-scale emergency
situation that took place in Wilkes-Barre on June 13, 2018,
as a result of a category EF2 tornado.
WHEREAS, On the evening of June 13, 2018, a tornado warning
was issued to the general public of Wilkes-Barre and the
surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, At 9:55 p.m., approximately five minutes before the
tornado touched down, a "take shelter" text alert was
transmitted to local cell phone users; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Weather Service, a
category EF2 tornado with wind speeds in excess of 130 miles per
hour struck the Mundy Street commercial district in Wilkes-Barre
Township at approximately 10 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, Once on the ground, the tornado traveled for nearly
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three quarters of a mile during a five-minute period; and
WHEREAS, According to a local news report, the path of the
tornado was evident since the tornado left a trail of
destruction in which roofs were blown off of commercial retail
establishments and restaurants, while the windshields of new
vehicles were severely damaged at a local dealership; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, some of the area's buildings and
properties sustained extensive damage, and nearly 25 utility
poles were knocked down or damaged, leading to power outages and
dangerous conditions for bystanders and first responders; and
WHEREAS, Although six people sustained minor injuries, an
official for the American Red Cross stated that the area was
fortunate in that, had the storm happened earlier in the day
during rush hour, the damage and injuries endured could have
been significantly worse; and
WHEREAS, As soon as the tornado passed, first responders,
members of local law enforcement, emergency management agencies
and township and county officials acted quickly to secure a
local retail establishment where firearms and ammunition are
sold; and
WHEREAS, In addition, these individuals evacuated animals
from a local pet store that was severely damaged by the tornado,
ensuring that the animals were properly cared for and secured
during the subsequent cleanup; and
WHEREAS, First responders and utility workers on the scene
were placed in additional danger when having to secure an area
and evacuate individuals in the immediate vicinity due to the
unexpected venting of a 1,000-gallon propane tank that had been
damaged by the tornado; and
WHEREAS, In the days following the tornado, members of the
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Pennsylvania Keystone Incident Management Team and the Luzerne
County Emergency Management Agency worked diligently to inspect
all commercial buildings in the immediate area of the tornado's
path to determine if the structures were safe to reopen,
required repairs or needed to be demolished; and
WHEREAS, The hard work and quick response by the community's
first responders, members of local law enforcement, emergency
management agencies and township and county officials helped to
ensure the health and safety of residents in Wilkes-Barre and
the surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, This hard work and quick response also allowed the
Mundy Street commercial district in Wilkes-Barre Township to be
successfully restored to its normal operations in a timely
manner; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
hard work and dedication of the first responders, members of
local law enforcement, emergency management agencies, utility
workers and township and county officials who responded to the
large-scale emergency situation that took place in Wilkes-Barre
on June 13, 2018, as a result of a category EF2 tornado.
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