UPDATED: 10:31 p.m., Thursday:
Bensalem Township officials said during a Thursday night press conference that five people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the storm.
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Officials were continuing to work to assess and responding to the damage as of 10:30 p.m.
Bucks County officials said they activated the emergency operations center.
Dave Skutnik, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania, said the organization has disaster responders in Bensalem Township.
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He stated the following:
The Red Cross has a team of disaster workers gathered at the Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, working with government partners and affected residents to determine what their needs are after this evening’s damaging tornado.
This assessment will likely continue for a couple more hours and we’ll together determine whether a we need to open a shelter nearby tonight or everyone who has been displaced has a place to go for the night.
At this time anyone who needs shelter can come to the Neshaminy Mall or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Original Story:
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A strong storm that dropped a possible tornado over Bensalem Township caused serious damage and led to a building collapse at a large car dealership.
The storm rolled through just past 7 p.m. Thursday and brought heavy rain and some wind to the Levittown area. Just a few miles away, strong winds and a possible tornado formed.
The Faulkner dealership along Street Road by Old Lincoln Highway suffered serious damage. Vehicles were tossed by the wind and several buildings suffered serious damage, including a collapse of the building that houses the service department.
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Firefighters from around the area were at the scene and also reported building collapses off Street Road on nearby Metropolitan Drive.
There was no immediate word on injuries.
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Merchandise at the Lowe’s near the Neshaminy Mall were tossed about the parking lot. A shed was seen upside down in video posted to social media.
Damage was reported at the Penn Valley Terrace mobile home complex near the Lowe’s.
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Shortly before the impacts in Bensalem Township, a tornado was reported to have touched down in the New Hope area in the central part of the county. There were numerous reports of damage in that area and across the river in New Jersey.
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