The damage to the trees at New Cumberland Cemetery due to the storm last week was substantial. President of the Cemetery Board Will White said between 6 to 10 large trees were uprooted closing roads within the cemetery.
White said the speculation is that the storm that touched down as a tornado in Hancock County last year may have done some preliminary damage to the trees causing them be unhealthy. That may be the reason the trees were uprooted when the reported 70-80-mile winds swept through.
Two Cemetery employees, Tom Kessel and Joe Stevens, were joined by Scott Allison with heavy equipment worked to clear roads and clean up debris. A photo taken by Maureen Vulgamore shows the headstone with a name of “Swaney” on that had been broken in three pieces when the tree landed on it. It is not known if that is the tombstone of Dr. Swaney, the benefactor of New Cumberland Library, or a member of his family.
