Weather

Severe thunderstorms lead to damage, power outages across Western Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH — UPDATE 9:32 a.m.: As of 8 a.m., Duquesne Light is reporting 64 outages with 1,871 customers affected.

Here are the outages reported by West Penn Power:

Allegheny: 3,504

Butler: 329

Fayette: 260

Greene: 152

Indiana: 220

Mercer: 103

Washington: 163

Westmoreland: 3,901

Kennedy Township Police Department said several areas are experiencing power and communications outages. Utility companies have been notified, and there is no estimate time for repairs due to the overwhelming amount of outages in Allegheny County.

UPDATE 6:03 a.m.: Over 10,000 resdients are still with power this morning after strong storms moved through the area.

As of 6 a.m., 2,119 Duquesne Light customers are without power.

Here are the outages reported by West Penn Power:

Allegheny: 4,306

Butler: 328

Fayette: 254

Greene: 152

Mercer: 103

Washington: 123

Westmoreland: 4.086

UPDATE 11:15 p.m.:

Duquesne light said all outages are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Thursday, but that customers should have their power back much sooner. Approximately 4,950 customers are still without power in Allegheny and Beaver counties as of 11 p.m. Wednesday.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.:

There are now over 35,000 outages between Duquesne Light and West Penn Power customers.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.:

There are still over 46,000 outages between Duquesne Light and West Penn Power customers as of 8:30 p.m.

UPDATE 8 p.m.:

There are still over 50,000 outages between Duquesne Light and West Penn Power customers.

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.:

The damaging wind threats for Pennsylvania and Ohio have come to an end. The National Weather Service said severe thunderstorm warnings are still in effect for portions of West Virginia.

UPDATE: 7:08 p.m.

Just a few hours ago, the BP gas station in Lower Burrell was crawling with traffic after they lowered their prices down to just $2.38 per gallon. As storms blew in, one of the gas pumps ended up on its side at the exact same station. (Photo Credit: Renee Davis.)

UPDATE: 7:00 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING in Greene County has been extended until 7:30 p.m.

UPDATE: 6:46 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING in Fayette County has been extended until 7:15 p.m.

UPDATE: 6:44 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING in Greene County has been extended until 7 p.m.

UPDATE: 6:23 p.m.

According to their websites nearly 50,000 Duquesne Light and West Penn Power customers are without power.

UPDATE: 6:19 p.m.

The National Weather Service has put out a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for east central Westmoreland County and Central Indiana County. The warning is expected to end at 10:15 p.m.

UPDATE: 6:15 p.m.

Paul Olijar, a WPXI viewer, shared a video of some of the damage left behind by storms in Lower Burrell. A tree was blocking the road in a residential area. Watch below.

UPDATE 6:03 p.m.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS for Washington, Fayette, and Greene counties have been extended until 6:45 p.m.

UPDATE: 6:00 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING issued for Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson Counties have been extended until 6:30 p.m.

UPDATE: 5:50 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Washington, Fayette and Westmoreland counties has been extended until 6:30 p.m.

UPDATE: 5:47 p.m.

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Washington County has been extended until 6:15 p.m.

UPDATE: 5:36 p.m.

Power outages are beginning to pop up in the midst of today’s storms. According to their website, around 12,000 West Penn Power customers are without power in Westmoreland County. Allegheny County is facing around 7,500 outages and Butler County is seeing around 1,100 outages.

UPDATE: 5:33 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING in Indiana County has been extended until 6:15 p.m. Westmoreland and Armstrong counties have also been extended to that time.

UPDATE: 5:27 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for a portion of Indiana county.

UPDATE: 5:25 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for parts of Allegheny, Beaver and Washington counties. The warning has been extended to 5:45 p.m.

UPDATE: 5:20 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has expanded to include other parts of Westmoreland County until 5:45 p.m.

UPDATE: 5:10 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for parts of Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington and Fayette counties. This warning is expected to be valid until at least 5:45 p.m.

UPDATE: 5:07 p.m.

Allegheny County has closed the Boyce Park Wave Pool due to storms. The wave pool was closed at around 5:00 p.m.

UPDATE: 5:01 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for parts of Butler and Armstrong counties until 5:45 p.m.

UPDATE: 4:55 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been put in place for parts of Clarion, Venango, Armstrong and Jefferson counties. This is expected to be valid until 5:45 p.m.

UPDATE: 4:51 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued to parts of Armstrong County.

UPDATE: 4:44 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for parts of Westmoreland County. The warning has expanded in Allegheny County. These warnings have been extended to 5:30 p.m.

UPDATE: 4:39 p.m.

Damaging winds are expected to hit Allegheny County.

UPDATE: 4:35 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for parts of Washington county. The warning is expected to be in place until at least 5:15 p.m.

UPDATE: 4:33 p.m.

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Allegheny County has been extended to 5:15 p.m. Pittsburgh, Bethel Park and Alison Park have been added to the warning.

UPDATE: 4:25 p.m.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for parts of Clarion, Forest and Jefferson counties. Those will be in place until at least 4:45 p.m.

UPDATE: 4:19 p.m.

The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Allegheny County has been extended to 4:45 p.m. Butler County has also been extended to the same time. The areas impacted are Meridian, Zelienople and Fox Run.

UPDATE: 4:05: The SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS for Allegheny and Beaver counties has been extended to 4:30 p.m. A warning has also been extended for Washington County


A SEVRE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for parts of Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties. The warnings will be in place until 4:00 p.m.


Strong storms could bring hail and gusty winds Wednesday, so check the forecast before you head outdoors. 50 mph to 60 mph winds could cause damage, especially after lunch into the early evening. Right now, the greatest window for storms is 3pm-8pm, impacting Lawrence and Beaver counties first, then moving through Allegheny and Westmoreland counties as the afternoon goes on.

Temperatures and humidity levels will be on the rise throughout the day as well, pushing the heat index in the mid to upper 90s.

Storms will wind down around sunset, with more comfortable weather rolling in for Thursday.

For more information on how to reduce ozone air pollution, click here.

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