PITTSBURGH — Severe storms hit the Western Pennsylvania area hard on Thursday and crews spent Friday working on repairing damage and restoring power.
Here’s a look at those efforts and some stories from people who were caught up in those powerful storms.
>>> PHOTOS: Storms sweep through Western Pennsylvania <<<
Electric companies give update as local residents continue work without power
It’s been a challenging 24 hours after strong storms brought trees down and knocked out power. Duquesne Light says it expects all customers to be restored by 4 p.m. Sunday.
Click here to view the latest number of reported power outages.
It’s been lights out along a stretch of Library Road in Bethel Park after strong storms knocked out power to traffic lights and businesses.
“We closed early last night, and then we came in this morning and still no power,” Matt Lehman said.
Colonial Beer is one of the impacted businesses that, even without power, figured out a way to stay open on Friday.
“We can do cash sales. We got a book we gotta write everything down and figure things out, you know, the old school way,” Lehman explained.
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Pittsburgh crews work overnight after storms soak the city
City of Pittsburgh crews were busy Thursday night into Friday handling fallout from severe storms.
Multiple departments responded to the record rainfall and high winds that led to flooding, fallen trees and downed wires, plus scores ofpower outages.
City officials say no storm-related injuries have been reported, despite medics taking more than 60 calls.
Emergency crews ask for patience as crews work to restore power, clean roads in Westmoreland County
Downed power lines are still lying throughout Westmoreland County following severe storms on Thursday.
“Not just to our electric system, but the communities that we serve, so we’re seeing road closures, downed trees, debris on our equipment when that happens that needs removed before we can even get access to the equipment to begin repairing it,” First Energy Head of Communications Bridget McNie said.
Director of Public Works and Greensburg Fire Chief Tom Bell has been moving from downed power lines to blown-over trees to flooded fields.
“It seems like Greensburg toward Derry, Latrobe, Hempfield Township, of course, it seems like we caught the brunt of it this time,” Bell said.
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Beaver County residents hope to have power restored soon; cleanup following severe storms ongoing
Thursday’s strong storms rocked Beaver Borough, bringing down trees and power lines all across the area.
“It was unlike any other storm I’d seen,” said Garrett Talkington, who works at Trek Bicycle.
He was out on a delivery when the storms rolled through.
“It was literally a wall of rain parallel to the ground; had to be 70-mile-an-hour winds,” he said.
Those strong winds snapped the massive tree in front of the bicycle shop. Part of it hit the building, but there was no damage.
“I think this is the prettiest corner in town; that tree here on the corner really made it that way, so I’m sad to see it gone,” Talkington said.
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Concertgoer recalls flooding at Pavilion at Star Lake during severe storms
The storms hit the Pavilion at Star Lake just before the band took the stage Thursday night, leaving concertgoers ankle-deep in floodwater.
Mike Reynolds went live on Instagram in a video that now has 1.7 million views.
“The next thing you know, they sent out police drones, and they were like hovering about the gate and telling us to evacuate and shelter in place!” Reynolds said.
Channel 11’s Cara Sapida did a Zoom interview with Reynolds. He’s heading to Canada for another Rüfüs Du Sol Concert. He said after the first shelter in place, he thought they were in the clear!
“Next thing you know, the storm came back! It was vicious, much worse than 5 p.m. Lighting going crazy,” Reynolds said.
While the comments vary, with many people saying they would not stay for their favorite artist, Reynolds, who was ankle-deep in water, said it was the best show of his life.
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‘They saved us:’ Young couple rescues family trapped by fallen tree in storm
A family is thanking God – and a young couple – for escaping from a trip to get ice cream unharmed after a tree and power lines came crashing down on their minivan.
Maggie Sheffer said her husband and her eldest daughter noticed some sparking right before the tree came down in the middle of Thursday night’s severe storms as they turned onto Highland Avenue in Bethel Park.
The tree smashed through the family’s windshield and crumpled the roof. However, the rest of the car wasn’t seriously damaged and Bluey kept rolling on the screens the three girls in the back were watching.
The parents’ efforts to get the doors open were hampered by the power lines running around the car. Sheffer’s husband popped the hatch, but couldn’t get the leverage needed to open the door more than a crack.
Two doors down, Isabella Dudjak and Luke Fordyce heard the crash and went outside to see what happened.
Dozens of drivers rescued after becoming stranded in Pittsburgh during Thursday storms
Pittsburgh fire and EMS crews rescued dozens of drivers who became stranded in their vehicles during Thursday’s strong storms.
City officials say more than 30 vehicles became trapped along the Saw Mill Run Boulevard/Route 51 corridor alone.
Swiftwater rescue teams rescued a UPS driver trapped in a flooded underpass on Beechwood Boulevard. The driver was placed in a bot and paddled to safety.
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Oakmont declares state of emergency during severe storms Thursday
The Borough of Oakmont declared a state of emergency during Thursday’s severe storms.
The storms toppled trees, flooded roads and knocked out power to thousands of Western Pennsylvania residents.
Thursday evening, Mayor Sophia Facaros issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency. That allows the borough to hasten procurement to meet cleanup demands, officials say.
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City of Greensburg declares state of emergency in response to severe storms
The City of Greensburg has declared a state of emergency in response to severe storms that wreaked damage throughout the area on Thursday.
Several areas in Greensburg were left flooded as heavy rain came down for hours. Trees have been knocked down, tearing down wires and causing numerous power outages throughout the community.
“The disaster declaration allows the City to respond quickly and provides our Emergency Management, Public Works and other City personnel with the authority and resources necessary to address flooding, debris, infrastructure concerns and other impacts of the storm without delays that can accompany normal administrative procedures,” a spokesperson for the City of Greensburg said.
North Huntingdon issues emergency declaration over storm impact
Officials have issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency in North Huntingdon Township following Thursday’s damaging storms.
In a social media post, the township said rain and strong winds caused flash flooding, took down trees and damaged various parts of the community.
The disaster declaration allows the township to forego some normal administrative procedures and more quickly utilize resources to address the flooding.
As crews continue to assess the damage and address impacted areas, the township asks residents to be cautious around flooded places.
Vehicle gets stuck in water at Washington County underpass
A vehicle got stuck in the water at a Washington County underpass early Friday.
Channel 11 crews saw first responders at the underpass on Millers Run Road in Cecil Township.
This follows severe storms that buffeted Western Pennsylvania with heavy downpours Thursday.
Severe storms flood roads, toss tents, cause thousands of power outages
Bethel Park School District sent a note to families about severe weather damage in the community and widespread power outages at several schools. The superintendent says the district will make a determination about school on Friday around 5 a.m.
In Bethel Park, whipping winds caused a tent to move across the football field. The tent made it across the grass in one piece until it hit the goal post. It happened before a Joey Fabus Foundation charity football game between Bethel Park and Moon Area, which was later canceled.
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