The National Weather Service says that a thunderstorm which struck Rush Township Monday night produced 75 mph winds, but no tornado.

The agency released a statement Thursday attributing the storm damage to wind downbursts caused by the thunderstorm.

NWS said that the most intense wind damage occurred between 8:28-8:30 p.m. It started northeast of Hometown, near Marian Catholic High School, and continued southeast to the area of Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

“This occurred as thunderstorm outflow winds rushed downward toward the ground and subsequently spread out upon impact with the ground,” the statement from NWS said.

A downburst can produce wind speeds and damage similar to a tornado. Unlike tornadoes, where damage occurs in a circular pattern, downburst wind damage radiates outward from a central point.

The 75 mph wind speeds are an estimate, based on 68 mph winds recorded at a weather station in Delano, Schuylkill County.

Numerous trees fell across roads and utilities during the storm.

With Route 209 blocked between Coaldale and Tamaqua, Coaldale Fire Department escorted emergency vehicles through mine lands to reach St. Luke’s Miners Campus in Coaldale. More than 4,000 people in the Hometown and Tamaqua areas were left without power Tuesday morning.