Over 500,000 residents of Western Pennsylvania were left without power after a severe thunderstorm hit the area, causing significant damage. Duquesne Light reported that around 240,000 customers remained without power on Tuesday, April 29. If you are someone who wants to know more about the West Penn power outage, this article is for you. It brings you everything we know so far about the power outage and what you should do in case your area does not have power. The following article includes information about the schools that were closed on April 30.
West Penn Outage Left Over 450,000 People In The Dark
More than 450,000 residents of Centre County were left in the dark after a severe storm hit the area. The storm caused significant damage across the area, leaving trees uprooted. Over 200 outages were reported across the country, and restoration was scheduled at 11 PM on Tuesday. However, it got extended until Wednesday morning. FirstEnergy stated that around 227,000 customers faced power disruptions in Pennsylvania. Duquesne Light also stated that around 225,000 customers reported power outages in the area.
National Weather Service Issued Warning Regarding A Severe Thunderstorm
The warning from the National Weather Service came early Tuesday regarding a severe thunderstorm that was going to hit the area. It mentioned how the winds can go as high as 80 MPH. AccuWeather also labelled the rapidly worsening weather as a derecho, which is also known as an inland hurricane. This was mainly because it involved a thunderstorm complex spanning over 400 miles that produced intense straight-line wind damage. The strong winds resulted in significant damage to the power lines and causing residents to stay in the dark.
Thunderstorm Causes Major Damages In Western PA
According to the reports, the thunderstorm not only causes infrastructural damage but also loss of life. A 22-year-old died after electrocution in the State College Area after encountering an active electrical current from a utility pole as he was putting out a mulch fire. Multiple trees were uprooted, and damages to power lines were also reported. Many roads were closed, and more than 550,000 homes and businesses in Pennsylvania were left in the dark. Several were also declared closed after the thunderstorm hit Pennsylvania.
Schools Declared Closed on Wednesday, 30th, After Thunderstorm
After the severe thunderstorm hit Pennsylvania, the state was left in utter chaos with over 200 power outages reported, roads blocked, and closed schools. The Gateway School District had to stay closed for the day because of power outages. Pittsburgh Public Schools started its operations with a delay of 2 hours because of the thunderstorm. Baldwin-Whitehall School District and Armstrong School District also remained closed, along with the Beaver Area School District. Bethel Park School District started with a 2-hour delay, while Lincoln Elementary stayed closed. Deer Lakes School District and Divine Mercy Academy were also closed because of the power outages.
What To Do In Case Your Area Is Facing Power Outages?
In case your area is also facing a power outage after the thunderstorm, the authorities of Pennsylvania have urged the citizens to follow several important safety measures. The first and most important measure is not to approach a fallen power pole and maintain a 30-foot distance from it. If you are using a generator to battle the power outage, use it mindfully, keeping it outside and away from windows to avoid direct inhalation of carbon monoxide. You must practice caution while driving and check the advisories from your local authorities before heading out. You must also keep your appliances and electronics disconnected to avoid short circuits.
