Three people were killed early Sunday morning when a tornado touched down in Oneida County, according to the National Weather Service in Binghamton.
The Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Clark Mills at 3:58 a.m. Sunday and traveled southwest for 2.43 miles.
The twister reached an estimated peak wind of 105 mph and maximum width of 300 yards, according to the Weather Service. The twister was on the ground for approximately five minutes.
The deadly pre-dawn tornado uprooted numerous trees and snapped many branches on others. All three people who were killed – including two children – were crushed when trees landed on their respective homes, which were heavily damaged by the tornado.
Clark Mills is a hamlet of roughly 1,600 people located within the Town of Kirkland, Oneida County.
A historic grist mill on Oriskany Creek was also destroyed by the twister, according to the Weather Service.
Twin sisters among those killed New York tornado
Two of the people killed were 6-year-old twins – sisters Emily and Kenni Bisson – who died after a tree fell onto their house on Hoyland Avenue in Clark Mills, which caused the roof to collapse, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Both girls were students at Clinton Elementary School within the Clinton Central School District. District officials confirmed the girls’ deaths. The girls’ mother survived, deputies said.
“Our hearts are with all of the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” Clinton schools superintendent Christopher Clancy said in a message to district families and employees.
He said classes were canceled Monday but grief counselors would be available when classes resume on Tuesday.
A relative launched an online fundraiser to support the girls’ mother Kayleigh Bisson. A single mother, Bisson survived the tornado but lost her daughters, home and possessions due to the damage caused by the twister. More than $200,000 was donated in less than 24 hours.
“These girls were known throughout town,” the GoFundMe read. “They were a part of softball, soccer, dance, gymnastics and so much more. They always kept everyone smiling and made people remember what life was all about. They walked through life smiling, dancing, and belly laughs that lasted for days.”
Shelly Johnson, 50, died in a separate home in Clark Mills when a tree crashed through the roof of her house, deputies said. Her house – on Millstream Court – was not far from the residence where the Bisson family lived.
Johnson was described as “she was kind, caring, loving, gentle, funny and an avid animal lover,” according to an online fundraiser created by a relative to help cover funeral costs and to help her partner rebuild his life post-tornado.
“Shelly would give you her last dollar if you needed it more,” the gofundme read. She was survived by her partner of more than 25 years, according to the online fundraiser.
Johnson and the Bisson twins were all pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies said that all three deaths were a direct “result of the severe storm.”
Images from NY tornado
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tornado kills three in upstate NY, including 6-year-old twin sisters
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
