Armstrong County PA News
Storms and other Weather Related News
Lightning Bolt Hits Mrs. William Thaw's Memorial Church (1908)
River Closed By Ice For Several Days (1929)
Long Ice Gorge Near Kittanning Is Still Holding (1958)
Lightning Bolt Hits Mrs. William Thaw's Memorial Church
Warren Evening Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania) June 25, 1908
Much Damage by Lightening In Western Pennsylvania
Kittanning, June 25 - Mrs. William Thaw's Memorial church, erected in memory of her father, the late Josiah Copley, was struck by lightning Monday night and totally destroyed.
The church was located at Appleby Manor, five miles from here. It cost $12,000, and was one of the prettiest rural churches in the county. The bell in its tower was given by Harry K. Thaw, who had his name cast in the metal.
During the storm early Tuesday morning lightning struck five places within
a radius of one mile of Ford City. Two gas wells, a pump station and two
residences were damaged.
River Closed By Ice For Several Days
Simpson's Leader-Times (Kittanning, Pennsylvania) January 2, 1929, Page 1
Despite the predictions of local weather prophets that the river would not freeze up during the present winter the stream has been closed for over ten days. The ice has hardened and people have crossed the stream on it. Reports are that at Cowanshannock trips across the river are being regularly made by men employed across the river and at Garretts Run. Tuesday afternoon several venturesome boys were out in the middle of the stream.
Several old timers are of the opinion that the ice will stay until spring when the high water will be needed to float it out.
"There will be little winter this year" ventured one of the weather seers on a trolley car this morning. "My daddy always said that when the buttonwoods shed their bark and stand out white during the early winter that there will be mild weather but when the buttonwoods hold their bark and do not show white, look out." And then he pointed out a big buttonwood near the Edgewood school house that is standing white and gaunt in the chill breezes blowing today.
At Cadogan, skating is being enjoyed on the river as far as the dam at Clinton a distance of two miles.
Warren Times Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania)
March 7, 1958
Long Ice Gorge Near Kittanning Is Still Holding
Kitttanning, Pa. A six-mile long ice gorge in the Allegheny River 18 miles above Kittaninng was reported still holding fast today but a flood threat to Kittanning has diminished considerably. River forecaster Vernon Houghton at Pittsburgh said a 1 ½ mile channel has been cut through the gorge by the river. This has relieved pressure and the water level of the river is decreasing gradually. Houghton said there is a possibility the gorge may dissipate gradually. He plans on a personal inspection of the situation during the weekend.