Powerful Winds Rip Roof Off Building In Conshohocken

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)— Employees combed the parking lot of the Heraeus Materials Technology in West Conchohocken Thursday afternoon, after the roof of their building was torn from the base, debris crashing down onto cars.

"It just came straight on through and I guess that they were lucky that no one was injured at that time of day when people are usually coming out," said Joseph Pignoli, mayor of West Conchohocken.

None of the 23 employees inside the building on Union Hill Rd were inside at the time of the incident.

Around 4 p.m. a security guard reported seeing a tornado touchdown over the building

"This year I've probably saw about 12 tornadoes," said Lou Ruh, a volunteer with the National Weather Service.

Ruh travels the country following tornadoes and contributes data as a volunteer for the National Weather Service . While it may have appeared tornadic he says this is likely the result of straight line winds.

"If a tornado hits the debris gets tossed in many different directions in this case it was all in one direction for the most part," said Ruh.

No matter the source, high winds are devastating.

Tree Smashes Car In Delaware, 2 Injured

In New Castle County Delaware, a 55-year-old woman and a 17-year-old man were transported to the hospital after a tree crashed on to their car while at an intersection. Both are in stable condition.