Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Local Tornado Threat Inspires Fear, Causes Damage, Provides Beauty

by Lesley Misko 

Televisions, cell phones, radio – all simultaneously blared out the loud, strident tone meant to alert us to an emergency that requires immediate action.

Once the frightening sound got our attention, we learned that the tornado watch that had been in effect for hours, had now become a tornado warning and several local areas— Bally, Boyertown, Bechtelsville, Gilbertsville-- were named as possibly being in its path.

Radar had detected local air rotation typical of a tornado. Residents in these locations were directed to seek shelter in a basement or windowless interior room. The warning voice repeated, “Do not wait to see it. By then it is too late. Seek shelter now.”  

Dave Glick (owner Glick's Greenhouse) and Oley (the collie) check out the rising Manatawny Creek. Photo by Beth Glick.

Even residents who tend to shrug off such warnings, became concerned and decided to heed the advice of the repetitively broadcast alert. While the area has experienced tornado watches, an actual warning issued due to evidence of a tornado’s existence, is not an ordinary occurrence in this area.

The next day, the National Weather Service (NWS)issued the following assessment of the storms: “A weak EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 70 mph touched down in Amity Township, Berks County, PA on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, around 4:45 p.m.”

In addition to this actual tornado touch-down, other areas were impacted by severe weather as well. The NWS further shared: ‘While the tornado itself touched down in Amity Township, a rear-flank downdraft with straight-line winds up to 70 mph occurred in an area east of the tornado toward Boyertown, causing additional tree damage. These winds continued toward the north side of Gilbertsville in Montgomery County.”

Other locations also escaped without a tornado, but did sustain damage. The NWS reports that Bally experienced “thunderstorms capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight-line wind damage.” In Oley, “storms caused heavy rain, flooding, and downed trees in the township and surrounding areas.”

While the power of the menacing weather was fearsome, it also created an awe-inspiring beauty as seen in the photos below, from the Oley area.  

Glicks' nieces share the beautiful rainbow behind the Glick homestead, following the storm.

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