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A tornado with winds up to 105 mph struck Clark Mills in Oneida County early Sunday morning (June 22), resulting in the deaths of three people. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado touched down at approximately 4 a.m., causing widespread destruction. Among the victims were six-year-old twin girls, Emily and Kenni Bisson, who died when a tree fell on their home on Hoyland Avenue. Their mother, Kayleigh Bisson, survived with the help of neighbors.
In a separate incident, 50-year-old Shelly Johnson lost her life when a tree crashed into her mobile home on Millstream Court. Her fiancé survived the ordeal. The tornado's path stretched over 2.4 miles, uprooting trees and snapping power lines along its route.
The storm also left significant property damage, with roads blocked by fallen trees and utility poles. As reported by Syracuse.com, nearly 60,000 homes and businesses lost power, and restoration efforts are ongoing, with full power expected to return by Wednesday (June 25).
The Clinton Central School District, where the Bisson twins attended, closed on Monday and will provide counseling services to students when school resumes. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 32 counties, including Oneida, due to the severe weather and forecasted extreme heat.