5 day forecast
Thousands remain without power after storms
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Tens of thousands of homes in the region are still without power this morning after a stretch of intense evening thunderstorms.
West Penn Power reports more than 13,000 customers without power in Fayette County, more than 8,000 in Washington County and more than 3,000 in Greene County.
"The whole area got decimated," said Bob Coblentz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "There was damage pretty much everywhere."
Compared to nearby states, Pennsylvania got off relatively easy. West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency after more than 500,000 customers in 27 counties were left without electricity. West Penn Power said it could be a week before power was restored, particularly in parts of West Virginia.
Amtrak suspended service from Philadelphia to Washington D.C., where an additional 400,000 people are without power.
Mr. Coblentz classified the storm as a derecho, a straight-line windstorm more common in the midwest. Winds as high as 67 miles per hour were reported in Ohio, he said, and three-quarter inch hail was spotted in Connellsville.
The storm hit hardest south and east of Pittsburgh, he said.
There is a chance for more rain today, though it should be more "garden variety" than Friday night's storm. Temperatures will remain hot -- though today's forecast high of 92 will feel cool compared to Friday's record breaking high of 97.
First Published June 30, 2012 10:12 am
