A quick spin-up caught on camera near Portersville has now been officially logged as a tornado, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters say video captured across from the 100 block of Bauder School Road in Muddy Creek Township shows a rotating funnel on the ground for a short time on Tuesday. The clip circulated on social platforms before it was flagged by storm survey teams. Authorities have not reported any injuries tied to the touchdown as investigators review damage and imagery.
National Weather Service officials said they obtained the video showing the brief touchdown, according to WTAE. WTAE reports the clip, along with additional photos from spotters near Moraine State Park, helped NWS staff corroborate where the circulation likely touched down. Local emergency responders advised residents to stay clear of downed trees and to avoid driving through flooded or debris-filled roads while crews assess conditions.
What the NWS survey found
Survey teams from the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh previously concluded that a tornado touched down just north of Moraine State Park on June 14. The NWS rated that track EF1 with estimated peak winds near 97 mph and a path of roughly 3.2 miles, with no reported injuries, according to NWS Pittsburgh. The same storm system prompted a flood watch across much of western Pennsylvania, including Butler, Allegheny and Beaver counties, that remained in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday, per the National Weather Service. Officials say the new video gives survey teams additional ground truth as they finalize the damage assessment.
Local context
Butler County's 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan notes that tornadoes are most likely in late spring and early summer, leaving parts of the county, especially rural townships and areas around Moraine State Park, more vulnerable to tree and power-line damage during severe storms. As outlined by the Butler County Hazard Mitigation Plan, residents in these areas are urged to have a safety plan, secure outdoor items and be prepared for temporary outages or blocked roads after strong storms. Emergency teams say the recent footage is a reminder to heed local warnings and stay weather-aware during unsettled conditions.
What to do if you saw it
If you recorded the storm or saw damage in the Portersville area, local officials ask that you preserve any footage and share details with municipal authorities so investigators can better map the track and check for damage. Do not go near downed power lines or unstable trees. Call 911 for immediate hazards and contact your township or county emergency services for non-life-threatening reports. Local and federal survey teams will use those submissions to complete the damage assessment and to inform any follow-up warnings or repairs.
