Westmoreland County residents try to stay warm during power outages, community opens warming center

WESTMORELAND COUNTY — The cleanup continues for people living in Fayette and Westmoreland counties after storms tore through the area on Friday.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Strong winds cause damage, thousands of power outages throughout Fayette County

RELATED COVERAGE >>> PennDOT updates list of roads still closed due to debris lift behind by Friday’s strong winds

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Thousands without power in Fayette, Indiana, Westmoreland counties

As a result, some neighbors are coming up with creative ways to ride it out.

“It was very scary. The trees were just swaying like crazy. And you probably could’ve just stood here and done this, and felt like you were gonna take off because it was such a strong wind,” said Kara Spangler from Mount Pleasant Township.

For the past two days, Spangler and George Biggs have had no electricity. They are some of the thousands in Westmoreland County that lost power. It has been a challenge for them to stay warm.

“Nerve-racking, I’m always wondering when it’s going to be over and when I’m going to feel warm again, completely. It’s been pretty cold in the house. You have to layer even with the propane heater,” George Biggs.

The couple put in a secondary heat source, a propane gas stove in their basement that is keeping part of their house warm.

Two years ago, they bought a generator and also put that to use this weekend.

Another community in Westmoreland County is offering a warming center to help keep people without power warm.

The Derry Township VFD set up the warming shelter at 210 School Street.

The department says a Salvation Army canteen truck was put in the center. Cots are available for anyone who needs to spend the night there and food and drinks will also be provided.

West Penn Power expects all the power to be restored by Monday night.

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Chilly temperatures, rainy skies for Monday Grab the jacket and the umbrella as you head out early Monday, a chilly start will end with rain showers for most of the area.

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