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Power Outages Remain from Thursday Storms

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Utility crews worked into the morning on Friday attempting to restore service to thousands of Pennsylvania customers. Electric service was knocked out in numerous counties as a strong storm front knocked down trees and power lines late Thursday afternoon and evening.

In the PPL service area, Berks County reported to most outages remaining Friday, but residents in at least 25 eastern Pennsylvania counties were still in the dark. PECO is attempting to restore service to customers in the five-county Philadelphia region, as well as a small area of York County.

There are reports of at least one fatality from the storms as a woman in Potter County was struck by a falling tree. The storm front continued on into New England Thursday evening, causing more damage.

 

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency says Get Ready for Storm Season

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Hurricane season planning is not just for people who live on the coast line. The   Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is reminding state residents they need to have a plan as well.

While the state rarely gets a direct hit from a hurricane, it does see tropical storms and tropical depressions with large amounts of rain, damaging winds and even the possibility of a tornado. These conditions can lead to flooding and power outages.

PEMA Director Glenn Cannon says it’s important to have a plan in place for your family and an emergency kit that could sustain them for at least 72 hours. 

Cannon says that kit should include flashlights and a battery operated radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit and manual, emergency food and water, a manual can opener, essential medications, cash and credit cards, important documents and sturdy shoes.

Cannon says you should also develop a family plan that identifies a place to meet and a way to communicate if you get separated.

Tornado planning should include the identification of a safe shelter. People who have a basement should know the safest place to take cover.  People without a basement should identify an interior room at the lowest level that provides protection. People in mobile homes should know where the nearest sturdy building or storm shelter is located.

Cannon adds many Pennsylvanians vacation at the shore and they should be prepared if they find themselves in the direct path of a hurricane. He says they should monitor weather forecasts, know where the evacuation routes and shelters are located in the town they’re visiting and keep their vehicle fueled and ready.  

You can learn more about hurricane and summer storm preparation at www.readypa.org.

More Severe Storms, Possible Tornadoes

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    Another strong storm front moved through central and eastern Pennsylvania late Monday, triggering tornado warnings in multiple counties. Some of the heaviest damage is reported in Juniata County, where barns, homes and other structures were subjected to high winds. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported, but barn roof collapses contributed to some loss of livestock and some buildings were reported to be completely destroyed.

    The National Weather Service will send a team to Juniata County today to examine the damage on the ground and determine if it was indeed caused by a tornado. Similar investigations are underway in other areas of central Pennsylvania today.

    No major issues are being reported by PPL Electric or PECO. PPL reported 55 customers without power in Juniata County overnight, while PECO reported nothing more than minor outages in Philadelphia.

    This latest series of storms adds to what has been a violent spring weather-wise for much of the country, including Pennsylvania. Multiple tornadoes have already been confirmed in the Keystone State this year, with summer still almost a month away.

Powerful Storms Drench Already Soggy Central Pennsylvania

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Another series of strong thunderstorms rolled through central Pennsylvania overnight, bringing more heavy rains to areas that have been waterlogged for much of this spring. The hardest-hit region this week is in and around the state capital area, where the National Weather Service reports that some areas have received nearly six inches of rainfall since Monday.

A line of very power thunderstorms rolled through the Harrisburg area and points north and south early this morning, bringing more rain and dangerous lightning. The NWS forecast for Harrisburg calls for more showers and thunderstorms throughout Thursday and into Friday before some calmer weather moves in for the weekend.