(PatriotNews.net) – Three lives, including twin 6-year-old girls, were tragically lost when a deadly EF-1 tornado ripped through the sleeping hamlet of Clark Mills, New York, in the pre-dawn darkness of a Sunday morning in June 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Twin sisters Emily and Kenni Bisson, age 6, and 50-year-old Shelly Johnson were killed when trees crushed their homes during a pre-dawn EF-1 tornado in Clark Mills, NY
- The tornado struck at 4:03 AM EDT on Sunday, June 22, 2025, catching residents completely unaware as they slept
- A historic grist mill along Oriskany Creek was completely destroyed, along with severe damage to multiple homes in the community
- The deadly tornado was part of a larger severe weather system that caused widespread destruction across Oneida County with winds reaching 70 mph
Deadly Pre-Dawn Tornado Strikes Without Warning
While most residents slept peacefully in their beds, an EF-1 tornado formed suddenly at 4:03 AM EDT on Sunday, June 22, 2025, along a severe thunderstorm line near Clark Mills, New York. The violent twister intensified rapidly as it carved a destructive path through the small hamlet, giving residents no time to seek shelter or protection. Weather experts noted the tornado formed at a kink in the line of severe thunderstorms, creating a particularly dangerous convergence of wind patterns that amplified its destructive power.
The tornado’s sudden formation and unusual pre-dawn timing created a perfect storm of deadly circumstances. Unlike daytime tornadoes that can sometimes be visually identified before striking, this nocturnal twister provided no visual warning to sleeping residents. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado originated near coordinates 43.0928/-75.3669, initially moving southwest before being absorbed into the southward motion of the larger storm line and finally dissipating near coordinates 43.0629/-75.3713.
Young Lives Cut Short by Nature’s Fury
The most heartbreaking casualties of the storm were 6-year-old twin sisters Emily and Kenni Bisson, who perished when massive trees crashed through their family home as they slept. In a separate incident nearby, 50-year-old Shelly Johnson also lost her life when her residence collapsed under the weight of falling trees. The violent storm system showed no mercy as it tore through the community, leaving devastated families and neighbors in its wake.
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. addressed the tragedy in a somber update the following day, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families… All of Oneida County mourns with them.” The loss of the young twins has particularly shaken the tight-knit community, where neighbors described the girls as bright, energetic children who were inseparable and beloved by all who knew them.
Historic Landmark Destroyed Among Widespread Damage
Beyond the tragic loss of life, the tornado obliterated a historic grist mill that had stood along Oriskany Creek for generations, erasing an important piece of local heritage in seconds. The structure, which had weathered countless storms throughout its long history, was completely destroyed by the tornado’s powerful winds. Local historians expressed devastation at the loss of the landmark, which had been a symbol of the community’s agricultural roots and industrial heritage.
Three homes suffered catastrophic damage from direct tornado impacts, with two of the residences becoming death traps as massive trees sliced through living spaces. Beyond the tornado’s direct path, the broader storm system unleashed straight-line winds reaching 70 mph across a much wider area, causing extensive damage to trees, power lines, and structures throughout Rome, Utica, Kirkland, Westmoreland and parts of the North Country region.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
Emergency response teams were dispatched immediately following the storm, though their efforts were hampered by widespread debris, downed power lines, and flooded roadways. Utility crews worked around the clock to restore power to thousands of affected residents, many of whom were left without electricity during the cleanup process. The county emergency management office coordinated with state officials to assess damage and begin the recovery process for affected homeowners.
Local churches and community organizations quickly established support centers for displaced residents and those affected by the storm. Volunteers poured in from surrounding communities to help with cleanup efforts, demonstrating the resilience and community spirit that often emerges in the wake of such tragedies. Meanwhile, meteorologists continued to study the unusual characteristics of this deadly storm system to better understand how it formed and intensified so rapidly.
Tornado Highlights Vulnerability of Rural Communities
This devastating event highlights the particular vulnerability of small, rural communities to severe weather events. Unlike larger urban areas with more robust emergency alert systems and infrastructure, smaller hamlets like Clark Mills often have fewer resources for both warning systems and post-disaster recovery. The pre-dawn timing of this tornado further exposed the gaps in current warning systems, which rely heavily on residents being awake and alert to receive emergency notifications.
Weather experts note that while New York is not typically considered part of “tornado alley,” the state averages several tornadoes annually, with climate pattern shifts potentially increasing their frequency and intensity. This event serves as a sobering reminder that deadly tornadoes can strike anywhere, at any time, even in regions not traditionally associated with such severe weather events. The lack of tornado sirens in many rural New York communities has become a point of discussion among emergency management officials following this tragedy.
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