Per The Storm Prediction Center there were three tornadoes on September 3, 1963. This summary looks at the strongest, an F3 that hit Elk County in Central Pennsylvania. This tornado occurred exactly one month after an F3 hit Glassport, PA. There are some discrepancies with this event, which will be discussed below.
The tornado developed along a hillside about a mile north of downtown Ridgway, west of the State Police Barracks. Trees were ripped up along the hillside. It crossed the Clarion River, where water was reportedly sucked up. The tornado crossed Route 219, near the Police Barracks. Here, a car was lifted off the ground, spun around, and dropped about 15 feet off the highway. Damage in Ridgway was mainly to trees and powerlines. Before getting to the Lynchville neighborhood, the tornado slashed through the Henry Foster Farm, as it crossed Johnsonburg Road. A herd of 14 cows were killed when they were picked up and “dashed” into the ground. An aerial photograph of the farm shows damage indicative of low-end F1 strength. Many trees were toppled, and the large barn had some roofing blown off.
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