On Tuesday, April 29, 2025 a line of severe thunderstorms raged across Pennsylvania causing significant damage. In anticipation of the excess communications traffic that would be needed NWS CTP asked amateur radio operators to staff the amateur station in the State College Office. Carmine Prestia, K3CWP, and Dan Tancibok, KB3ESJ, operated from 1600 to 2000. Although very quiet at first around 1828 things changed.
Dan and Carmine operated on four repeaters, 146.85 (State College), 146.82 (Altoona), 147.255 (Clearfield), and 146.180 (Cambria County). When it passed the storm was very violent, possibly a derecho, causing significant damage. Most of the damage reported involved high winds, trees falling, and downed power lines. In State College at least two locations saw power poles snapped in half. Two days later several thousand homes and businesses are still without electrical power.
Between 1828 and 1957 Carmine and Dan received sixteen reports from thirteen hams and one Skywarn net in Clearfield County on wind and damages from the storm. All of the reports were reduced to writing and given to one of the meteorologists working in the office. These reports help NWS pinpoint damages for verification and for judgment about what kind of event the storm was. A copy of the final report is linked below.
It was a very busy period for the amateur radio volunteers and the NWS personnel. Special thanks to the various hams for reporting in with the information. Additionally, thanks for NWS CTP for allowing us to participate.
Final Skywarn Report ...