AUGUST 8, 1978

A tornado that developed in the western end of the Panther Valley shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday lifted chairs from a Coaldale porch and carried them about 25 feet onto Phillips Street, then sucked nearly 2 feet of water from the Panther Valley Recreation Center swimming pool as it traveled an easterly course toward Nesquehoning.

Scores of Coaldale and Lansford residents observed the twister as it whirled along the south slope of the Hauto Mountain, touching down at a number of spots before moving out of sight.

The National Weather Service reported the twister added to violent thundershowers that dumped nearly two inches of rain on Carbon and Monroe counties during a 24-hour period.