Power restored to most after high winds cause outages

The lights are back on for most Duquesne Light and West Penn Power customers who dealt with power outagess Tuesday night after rain accompanied by high winds moved through the region in the afternoon and again in the evening.

Wind gusts reached 40 to 50 mph in the mid-afternoon and again after 8 p.m. as lines of showers and thunderstorms crossed the area, National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Modzelewski said. Some small hail was also reported.

Around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, Duquesne Light crews were working to restore power to about 400 locations in several Allegheny County communities, including Green Tree, Monroeville and McCandless. All the outages had been repaired by 4:30 a.m. Wedneseday.

Areas with the highest number of customers without power were Pittsburgh’s Westwood neighborhood, 168; and Green Tree, 133.

West Penn Power was reporting nearly 1,400 customers affected in Allegheny County Tuesday night. The majority, about 1,200, were in Elizabeth Township. There were 101 Allegheny County homes without power as of 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, in South Park Township, Elizabeth Township and Lincoln Borough.

West Penn was reporting 480 without power in several Westmoreland County municipalities Tuesday night, with Rostraver and Sewickley Township having the most impacted. On Wednesday morning 175 customers remained without power, mostly in Ligonier Township.

West Penn was reporting about 270 customers affected in Armstrong County Tuesday night, mostly in Leechburg. All outages were repaired by Wednesday morning.

After a dry night, Modzelewski said there will be a chance for more showers Wednesday afternoon, but no high winds are expected. Thursday is expected to be dry.

The high temperature Wednesday and Thursday is expected to be in the upper 40s to near 50, he said.