Sisters die in New York storm when tree falls on house, as neighbors remember heartbroken mother calling for assistance

Tragic Storm Claims Lives of Twin Girls in New York

In a heartbreaking incident in upstate New York, two young twin girls lost their lives when a violent storm caused trees to crash onto their home.

Emily and Kenny Bisson, just six years old, were asleep around 4 a.m. on Sunday when winds reaching 95 mph, coupled with heavy rain from an EF-1 tornado, uprooted a large maple tree, sending it crashing onto the roof of their Clark Mills residence. Reports confirm this tragic event.

The impact of the falling trees destroyed the roof, then penetrated the second floor, ultimately collapsing down to the ground floor where the twins and their mother, Kaley Bison, 37, were sleeping, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

Their neighbor, Jared Bowman, recounted how he rushed to their house after hearing a disturbing noise, only to find Bison attempting to escape through a window.

Another neighbor, Rick Carollo, who is also a firefighter, said he had drifted off to sleep when he was jolted awake by the sound of crashing trees. Shortly afterward, he received a message alerting him that immediate help was needed at the nearby house.

“I found my mother in the window in front of me,” he recalled. “I had to climb a tree to get her out.”

Bowman shared that the mothers were in a panic upon realizing the twins were still trapped inside. “She was screaming, ‘Get my kids out!’” he reported. “But there was no noise coming from inside. It felt very unsettling.”

Carollo searched through the wreckage for the girls and, tragically, found one, but quickly realized she had no pulse.

When first responders arrived, they confirmed that both twins had died at the scene.

Emily and Kenni had lived in the home with their mother for several months before this tragedy unfolded.

Both girls were first graders at Clinton Elementary School. In a statement, Principal Christopher Clancy expressed deep sadness over the loss of two beloved students, noting, “Today, our community mourns tragic losses, including two elementary school students.”

He added that counseling services would be made available for students affected by the event.

The twins were described as vibrant and well-loved in their small town, known for their enthusiasm and infectious smiles, which endeared them to everyone around them. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help with funeral expenses for their mother.

“These girls were recognized throughout the town,” the campaign noted. “They participated in everything from softball and soccer to dance and gymnastics, always brightening the lives of those around them.”

In addition to the tragic loss of the twins, the EF-1 tornado also claimed another victim in the region. Shelley Johnson, 50, died when a tree fell on her while she was sleeping.

This storm was particularly severe, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency across 32 counties in response to the damaging conditions and impending extreme heat.