(DailyChive.com) – Three lives, including twin 6-year-old girls, were tragically snuffed out when a rare pre-dawn EF-1 tornado ripped through the sleeping hamlet of Clark Mills, New York, leaving a community shattered and searching for answers amid the rubble.
Key Takeaways
- Twin sisters Emily and Kenni Bisson, age 6, and 50-year-old Shelly Johnson were killed when the tornado caused trees to crash through their homes while they slept
- The EF-1 tornado struck at 4:03 AM on Sunday, June 22, 2025, giving residents no warning as they slept
- A historic grist mill was completely destroyed along with three homes in the small community
- The tornado was part of a larger severe weather system that caused widespread damage across multiple communities in Oneida County
Deadly Pre-Dawn Tornado Strikes Without Warning
While most residents of Clark Mills, New York slept peacefully in their beds early Sunday morning, an unexpected EF-1 tornado formed along a line of severe thunderstorms at precisely 4:03 AM EDT on June 22, 2025. The violent twister carved a destructive path through the small hamlet in Oneida County, giving sleeping residents no time to seek shelter or protection. Weather experts noted the tornado formed at a kink in the line of severe thunderstorms, initially traveling southwest before being absorbed into the southward motion of the larger storm system.
The tornado’s sudden formation and unusual pre-dawn timing created a particularly dangerous situation for residents. Unlike daytime tornadoes where visual confirmation often provides some warning, this nocturnal twister struck without the benefit of eyewitness spotters or adequate time for emergency notifications. The National Weather Service later confirmed the tornado’s path, noting it began at coordinates 43.0928/-75.3669 and ended at 43.0629/-75.3713, leaving a concentrated trail of destruction through the heart of the small community.
Young Twins and Adult Killed as Trees Crush Homes
The most devastating impact came as massive trees were uprooted and sent crashing through residential structures. Six-year-old twin sisters Emily and Kenni Bisson were killed when their family home was crushed by falling trees. In a separate incident nearby, 50-year-old Shelly Johnson also perished when trees collapsed her residence. The deaths have sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, where the young twins were known and loved by many local residents.
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 of those who lost their lives in this devastating storm. All of Oneida County mourns with them.” The county executive’s statement reflected the profound grief felt throughout the region as news of the children’s deaths spread across central New York communities.
Historic Structure Destroyed Among Widespread Damage
Beyond the tragic loss of life, the tornado completely destroyed a historic grist mill situated along Oriskany Creek, erasing a piece of the community’s heritage in seconds. The mill, which had stood for generations as a landmark in Clark Mills, was reduced to scattered debris. Three homes suffered severe structural damage, with two of them becoming the sites of the fatal incidents. The focused damage corridor showed evidence of convergent wind patterns typical of tornadic activity.
The broader storm system that spawned the tornado continued to wreak havoc across Oneida County, with straight-line winds reaching up to 70 mph in surrounding areas. Communities including Rome, Utica, Kirkland, Westmoreland, and parts of the North Country experienced scattered tree damage, downed power lines, and localized flooding. Emergency response teams worked through Sunday and Monday to clear roads, restore power, and begin the assessment of structural damage throughout the affected regions.
Community Begins Recovery Amid Questions About Warning Systems
As residents begin the painful process of recovery, questions have emerged about the effectiveness of early warning systems for nocturnal tornadoes. Unlike the tornado-prone regions of the Midwest where sophisticated warning networks are common, many smaller communities in upstate New York lack comprehensive alert systems specifically designed for tornadic events. The pre-dawn timing of this disaster has prompted calls for improved emergency notification protocols that can alert sleeping residents to imminent danger.
Local emergency management officials have begun reviewing their response procedures while coordinating recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expected to conduct an assessment to determine eligibility for disaster assistance. Meanwhile, community members have rallied to support the families of the victims, establishing memorial funds for the Bisson twins and organizing volunteer cleanup crews to help affected homeowners.
Weather Experts Note Unusual Pattern
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service who surveyed the damage noted the unusual nature of this tornado event. While New York State does experience tornadoes, they are relatively rare compared to other regions of the country, and nocturnal tornadoes are even less common. The timing and intensity of this event have prompted weather experts to examine whether changing climate patterns might be contributing to more unpredictable and severe weather events in regions historically less prone to such phenomena.
The Clark Mills tornado serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictable fury and the vulnerability of communities, even in regions not typically associated with tornadic activity. As the community mourns its losses and begins rebuilding, the tragedy has highlighted the critical importance of comprehensive emergency preparedness and effective early warning systems that function regardless of the time of day.
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