Storms spur widespread power outages, downed trees across Western Pa.

Thousands of people remained without power Thursday morning after storms rolled through the region the day before.

Duquesne Light reported at 8:15 a.m. that about 3,400 people were still without power, down from more than 25,000 about 12 hours earlier.

“Severe storms moved through our region this afternoon, causing widespread damage across our service area,” spokeswoman Ashley Macik said Wednesday. “Crews are actively assessing the impact and will work around the clock until all service has safely been restored.”

West Penn Power still had 18,000 without power at 8:20 a.m. statewide, including some 4,809 in Western Pennsylvania counties. The utility reported 35,800 customers without power around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to the company’s website.

Gary George, 77, of Harrison was inside his home in the 1200 block of Carlisle Street when the storms struck.

“I heard a burst,” he said, describing the sound of a tree nearby falling on a neighbor’s home. “I saw the first one and went inside.”

George said he was concerned the large elm tree in his yard — which is over 100 years old — would be the next to fall.

His fears quickly became reality.

A large tree uprooted and collapsed onto his roof, which had been repaired recently.

He said his insurance company would cover new repairs. He was not injured.

That stretch of Carlisle Street is known for its large elm trees. Some of the trees have been afflicted with Dutch elm disease, a fungal disease of elm trees that is spread by elm bark beetles. Believed to be native to Asia, the disease has devastated elms in America and Europe since its accidental introduction.

“We’ve had trees in the last three years come down in storms but never two big ones right next to each other like this,” said Harrison Commissioner Chuck Dizard, who had been on the scene.

Because the two trees fell away from the street, crews were able to keep the road open, he said.

Tree service experts were on site determining how best to remove the trees from the houses, Dizard said.

“Those trees have to be carefully cut up so they don’t do additional damage to those houses,” he said.

Storms stretched throughout the Pittsburgh region Wednesday, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Pat Harold.

Storms knocked down trees throughout Allegheny County on Wednesday afternoon, with several reports of trees landing on houses.

This oak was felled during this afternoon’s deluge on West Swissvale Avenue in Edgewood. pic.twitter.com/kgqf4MlP6P

— Tom Davidson (@TribDavidson) July 7, 2021

Harold said most storms active about 4:30 p.m. were just north of Allegheny County.

“It looks like they’re causing some wind damage and also some hail, probably dime- to nickel-size hail,” he said.

More slow motion lightning over #pittsburgh this afternoon. Wind nearly picked my cameras off the ground, and that was followed by decently sized hail, but I was able to catch some huge strikes again.

Hope yinz are safe out there. @NWSPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/CYPicbM1VY

— Dave DiCello (@DaveDiCello) July 7, 2021

Allegheny County warned that its 911 call center was experiencing an increased call volume because of the storms and urged people not to hang up if waiting on the line with 911.

The county also reported multiple vehicles stuck in water on Thompson Run and Rodi Road in Wilkins and reminded drivers not to drive through standing water.

Please do not drive through standing water - you're risking your own safety, that of any passengers and that of the emergency responders who have to rescue you. https://t.co/7avWp1mzGb

— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) July 7, 2021

In Westmoreland County, several municipalities, including New Kensington and Lower Burrell, reported downed trees and wires after the storms, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher.

The dispatcher noted there were about 15 downed trees in Allegheny Township. Among the roads that were blocked for a time were Garvers Ferry, Bagdad and Lucesco roads.

All roads were cleared by about 5:50 p.m., he said.

“Pretty much all of” Armstrong County was hit hard by the storms, according to an Armstrong 911 dispatcher, who said crews were also responding to downed trees and wires.

A chance of showers and storms will continue through Thursday, but the National Weather Service is not expecting severe storms, Harold said.

Bridgeville Police Department reported officers were assisting with evacuations at Baldwin Street and Jane Way, where the road was underwater about 4:15 p.m.

Staff writer Zachary Gibson contributed to this report.