Church’s roof ripped apart as strong storms hit New Kensington

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — The roof of a church in New Kensington was torn off as powerful storms with intense winds ripped through the area early Wednesday morning.

Debris was tossed onto the ground outside St. Mary of Czestochowa church on Kenneth Avenue as its roof was ripped apart.

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"When I heard the wind blowing during the night I thought, ‘Oh, Lord, protect everyone in New Kensington.’ Because it really sounded like a train, and just to come down here and see the devastation, it’s heartbreaking,” Monsignor Michael Begolly said.

All five of New Kensington’s fire companies responded to the church about 2:30 a.m., according to a Facebook post from New Kensington Fire Department Company 2.

Firefighters put down salvage covers inside the church’s sanctuary and checked utilities while a collapse zone was established in the event of further damage, officials said.

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St. Mary’s was one of many buildings that were assessed for wind damage, officials said.

A couple blocks away from the church, a three-car garage on the roof of Baron Industries collapsed.

New Kensington Fire Department Company 2’s Facebook post said its crew was also called for a tree that fell and damaged multiple vehicles, a sidewalk and a utility pole.

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RAW: New Kensington storm damage RAW: New Kensington storm damage

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