Jun 17, 2008 6:02 pm US/Eastern
NWS: Microburst May Have Hit Fairchance
FAIRCHANCE (KDKA) ―
Weather experts are trying to determine what exactly struck a community in Fayette County.
The storm moved through Fairchance just after 8 p.m. Monday with winds strong enough to uproot trees and knock down power lines. The storm also dumped rain and hail. Many residents think it was a tornado.
"You couldn't even see outside. Tree limbs were blowing by, it was just gray," Bud Angelo said. "So we just headed for the basement. About a minute later it was done and we come outside and we couldn't believe the devastation."
However, officials with the National Weather Service believe it could have been a microburst with thunderstorm-related winds that moved in a straight line - not a circular position like a tornado.
The neighbors who lived through it respectfully disagree.
"I tell you when we first came down here last night and looked at it - it looked like a tornado hit - it really truly did," Kathy Kelley said. "Everything was just scattered."
"I don't know what it was. Whatever it was it scared the hell out of me," Sam Spade said.
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