Freak Tornado Hits Pennsylvania Hurts10;  2,000 Without Electricity...11/28/99

HONEY BROOK, Pennsylvania (AP) -- An unusual November tornado ripped apart homes, toppled trees and injured at least 10 people in eastern Pennsylvania.

Some 1,800 customers still had no electricity Saturday, Chester County emergency officials said.  "One house up the street is completely down. Two other houses are badly damaged," said Anne Jackson. "There are washers across the street, clothes
all over the place."

The National Weather Service confirmed that a weak tornado touched down Friday as bands of heavy rain rolled across eastern Pennsylvania.  "Most of the time in November we will get a good squall line, but for us to get a tornado from one is pretty rare," said meteorologist Bill Goodman in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

The twister struck about 6 p.m. Friday.  "I was at work at the Honey Brook Restaurant, and I looked out the window and just saw trees coming up out of the ground. I came home, and my roof is gone," said Michelle Andrewick.

About 25 homes were damaged, with the second story torn off one house, and heavy damage was reported at Zook Molasses Co.  The injuries were minor. About 30 people had to be evacuated because of gas leaks, authorities said.