Meyersdale Public Library - 1998 Southern Somerset County Tornadoes Oral Histories

About This Collection

On the evenings of May 31 and June 2, 1998, tornadoes swept through Southern Somerset County, shocking local residents with the occurrence of such an unusual weather event in this region of southwestern Pennsylvania. The tornadoes left significant destruction to the community of Salisbury and surrounding rural areas in their wake. That summer the Springs Historical Society recorded oral histories with six families who resided in or near the paths of the tornadoes. Working in partnership with the historical society, the Meyersdale Public Library digitized these histories, originally recorded on cassette tape, in an effort by both organizations to better preserve and share the stories they hold.