This past Tuesday our area was terrorized by yet another tornado. On May 19th there was an EF-1 tornado where most of the damage was localized in West Cocalico Township and then just a little over a week later yet another tornado came to town. On Tuesday, May 28th an EF-2 tornado wreaked havoc on the Morgantown, PA area. "Police Chief John W. Scalia said more than a dozen homes sustained significant structural damage, with the hardest hit areas in The Village of Country Meadows Condominiums and parts of the 100 block of Mill Road. Scalia said at least one home was leveled in the 100 block of Swamp Road." (Reading Eagle) The damage going through the town is pretty surreal to see. Many families were displaced as their homes were deemed unlivable.
Destruction is extensive as the tornado went from Swamp Road (the Western side of Morgantown), through Gideon King's Hardware, down Main Street, down Mill Road and then through the Valley Ponds development, Pennwood Development and through some of the industrial park and S. Twin Valley Road. It is incredible to see how the tornado almost hopped from one place to another, leaving one house destroyed and the neighboring house completely unscathed.
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Despite all of these devastating times for many families, it was absolutely incredible to see the way the Morgantown Community rallied together immediately following the storm to help one another. Morgantown Community Church was organizing help efforts immediately, gathering teams, equipment, food (Anchored by Grace) and supplies for the families in the community that were affected. Morgantown Coffee House was providing free breakfast and coffee for those who were displaced and without power. Caernarvon Township Social Hall was set up as a shelter for those who needed a place to stay or for anyone in need. The local Lowe's was set up in Valley Ponds with crews, buckets, saws, and supplies for clean up ready to help as well as providing food and water. In addition to these businesses and organizations, Great Clips, Stampede BBQ, Arby's, Unique Pet Care, McDonald's, Auntie Ann's Pretzels and Dent Lab, Inc. were offering service and help for the locals.
It's at times like these where you see how close-knit a community is. You can see the care that each business and organization had for those affected and without thinking twice as to how it would affect their personal profits they were ready to jump in and help how they could. Neighbors were helping one another when they needed it the most, showing the kind of love and care that we all should on a daily basis, with or without crisis. I am thankful to live in such an area that can really come together to help one another when it really matters.
