That was the news coming over the radio, tv and social media in the Philadelphia Area. It was Thursday, July 29, 2021. Life was finally getting back to normal after a year and a half kept most of the world inside due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. I remember driving home from work near Princeton, NJ and heading south towards Philadelphia. The reports were that there was visual confirmation of a tornado going from New Hope, Pa across the river to Lambertville, NJ and heading straight for Trenton, NJ.
As I drove the highway, it began getting very dark. Darker than I had ever seen at 6pm. I kept my eyes peeled in case I catch a glimpse of this phenomenal weather rarity in this part of the country.
I saw nothing....until I got closer to Trenton. Lightening began striking more and more frequently. Leaves began flying very violently across the highway as the winds ripped though. I grabbed my steering wheel as tight as I could almost shaking with fear that my car, along with any other car traveling with me, could be picked up at any time. The weather passed quickly though and I made it home safe and sound.
We were eating dinner like normal and watching tv. All of a sudden, the rain began coming down harder and harder. The cell phone alerts began going off one by one with the news that Philadelphia and its surrounding counties are experiencing a tornado warning, not a watch, a WARNING. This was serous. We called everyone to the same floor in case we had to head to the basement. Luckily, we did not see any tornado.
Moments later, the news hit the airwaves. A tornado has touched down in Trevose, Pa, 9 miles away. Two days later, I toured the perimeter as clean-up efforts continued. This is what I saw.
