Twin Girls Killed in New York Tornado After Tree Crushes Home While They Slept

Six-year-old twin girls, Emily and Kenni Bisson (left and right), were killed when a tree fell onto their home and trapped their mother, Kayleigh Bisson (center)

Two six-year-old twin sisters were tragically killed when a powerful storm caused a tree to collapse onto their home in Clark Mills, New York, early Sunday morning.

The deadly EF-1 tornado, with winds reaching up to 95 mph, tore through the small hamlet, toppling trees and causing widespread damage. The victims, Emily and Kenni Bisson, were asleep in their bedroom when a massive maple tree split and crashed onto their house on Hoyland Avenue, according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.

Their mother, 37-year-old Kayleigh Bisson, placed a desperate 911 call after the roof caved in, telling dispatchers she was trapped and unable to locate her daughters. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found both girls, who were pronounced dead shortly after.

An EF-1 tornado with wind speeds up to 95mph ripped through the hamlet of Clark Mills early Sunday morning

Neighbors described the harrowing aftermath. Jared Bowman, who lives nearby, said he rushed over when he heard the destruction. “She was yelling, ‘Get my kids out!’ But there was no noise. It felt very eerie and bad,” he recalled. The family had reportedly moved into the home only recently.

Rick Carollo, a local firefighter and neighbor, was among the first on scene. “I found the mother in the front window. I had to climb a tree to get her out,” he said. Carollo also attempted to revive one of the girls, but found no pulse.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Kayleigh Bisson during her recovery and to cover funeral expenses for her daughters. The fundraising page described the twins as beloved community members known for their joy and artistic talents. “They walked through life smiling, dancing, and belly laughs that lasted for days,” the page said.

Photos showed the storm had done extensive damage in the area, knocking down trees, utility poles and wires

Emily and Kenni were first-grade students at Clinton Elementary School. In a statement, Clinton Central School District Superintendent Christopher Clancy confirmed the heartbreaking loss. “Earlier today, a severe weather emergency in our community resulted in the tragic loss of life, including two of our elementary students,” he said. Classes were canceled Monday, with grief counselors available for students on Tuesday.

Tragically, the storm claimed another life elsewhere in Oneida County. Shelly Johnson, 50, was killed after a tree collapsed onto her home, crashing through the roof and hitting her as she lay in bed.

The tornado caused extensive damage across the region, downing power lines, utility poles, and trees. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 32 counties across New York due to the destructive storms and upcoming extreme heat. She confirmed speaking with Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. about the emergency response and recovery efforts underway.