Severe weather on Wednesday night (May 13) caused significant damage in Perry County, Pennsylvania, including the toppling of a steeple from Christ Lutheran Church in New Bloomfield. The steeple fell around 7 p.m. as strong thunderstorms swept through the area, according to the National Weather Service at State College.
Local firefighters, including 27 personnel from the New Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Company, responded to multiple storm-related incidents. They reported that the church's steeple landed in an alleyway off West High Street. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and there was only minor damage to the main roof of the church.
The storm also brought down trees and utility lines across Perry, Dauphin, and Lebanon counties. Hail was reported in parts of the region, including Millersburg. Firefighters were able to secure utilities and remove branches from a tree that had fallen on a house on West Main Street, covering the damaged roof with a tarp to prevent further water damage.
CBS 21 reported that the severe weather prompted numerous calls for assistance throughout the area. The community is now focused on cleanup efforts and assessing further damage caused by the storm.