Monday storms leave behind damage, thousands of homes without power

PITTSBURGH — Severe storms moved through the area Monday evening, leaving behind damage and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes.

>>> PHOTOS: Severe storms move through western Pennsylvania, leaving damage behind

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Keep track of the latest updates below.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.

Duquesne Light Company’s efforts to restore power are ongoing. Here’s the latest update the company shared on X, formerly Twitter:

“We’re working around the clock to restore service to customers following yesterday’s severe weather. Since last night, we have restored roughly 71,000 customers. We’re continuing to assess the damage and share an estimated time of restoration shortly.”

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.:

Duquesne Light Company is working to restore electric service to 19,000 customers. The company says that wind gusts reaching 60 mph with the current heat wave made Monday’s storm the most significant the region has seen since a windstorm in Feb. 2019 that affected about 130,000 customers.

“These heavy winds knocked down trees, broke utility poles and caused more than 1,000 separate cases of trouble. The most significant damage is in the northern portions of DLC’s service territory,” a news release reads, in part.

DLC is assessing the damage and will establish an estimated time for restoration as soon as work is complete. About 80 additional crews from contractors and mutual assistance from American Electric Power in West Virginia will aid in restoring power to the Pittsburgh area, the company said.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.:

The following roads are closed in Indiana Township, officials say: Cedar Run Road, Hiawatha Drive, Indianola Road, Klein Road, Old Mill Road and Shaffer Run Road.

UPDATE 10:35 a.m.:

O’Hara Township officials say there is a two-day estimate for power to be restored to residents who are experiencing an electricity outage. A cooling center has been set up at the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Company on Kittanning Pike.

UPDATE 8 a.m.:

Duquesne Light reports about 26,300 customers are without power. About 7,765 customers in Western Pennsylvania are without power, West Penn reports.

UPDATE 6 a.m.:

Several Shaler Township roads remain closed due to downed trees or wires.

The police department says sections of Mount Royal Boulevard, Spencer Lane Ext. and E. Elfinwild Road are still closed.

UPDATE 6/18/24 5:30 a.m.:

Duquesne Light reports around 32,190 customers are still without power, while West Penn Power says about 9,650 customers in the Pittsburgh region are without power.

UPDATE 10:10 p.m.:

Martin Road in West Deer Township is closed near Cedar Ridge Road due to downed trees & power lines.

UPDATE 9:50 p.m.:

Nearly 100,000 people are now experiencing power outages in the area.

For the latest outages from Duquesne Light, click here.

Click here for the latest outages from West Penn Energy.

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.:

The damage across western Pennsylvania was caused by a downburst, the National Weather Service confirms. A downburst is a downward and outward gushing wind system.

UPDATE 8:50 p.m.:

Duquesne Light Company is reporting nearly 60,000 outages.

For the latest outages from Duquesne Light, click here.

Click here for the latest outages from West Penn Energy.

UPDATE 8:10 p.m.:

Duquesne Light says there are technical difficulties with reporting outages.

UPDATE 7:20 p.m.:

Duquesne Light is reporting 48,730 outages and West Penn Power is reporting 29,671.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.:

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Washington County until 7:45 p.m.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.:

Mount Royal Boulevard near Braun Street and East Elfinwood Road between Balsam and Route 8 are both closed, Shaler police said.

UPDATE 6 p.m.:

Tens of thousands of people are now without power across the area.

For the latest outages from Duquesne Light, click here.

Click here for the latest outages from West Penn Energy.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.

There are reports of trees down and damage across the area. This is a look at a massive tree that fell onto a home on Gibsonia Road in Richland Township.

UPDATE 5:49 p.m.:

Thompson Run Road in West Mifflin is shut down due to a downed tree. Officials are asking people to avoid the area.

UPDATE 5:38 p.m.

Duquesne Light is now reporting over 15,000 customers without power. For the latest outages, click here.

First Energy is reporting outages across the area as well. Click here for the latest outages.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.:

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties until 6 p.m.

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.:

Duquesne Light is reporting over 6,600 customers without power. For the latest outages, click here.

First Energy is reporting outages across the area as well. Click here for the latest outages.

UPDATE 4:49 p.m.:

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Allegheny County and parts of Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties until 5:30 p.m.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

It will be very warm and humid overnight, with temperatures only falling to the low 70s.

The 90s continue in the forecast through the work week and possibly into the start of the weekend. Due to the heat and humidity, there will be another chance of a few showers or storms in spots on Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Center has issued a Heat Advisory for our area that will be in effect through Friday. High temperatures will easily push into the low to mid-90s through the week. Heat index values will reach 100 degrees or hotter at times.

Make sure to be prepared and find ways to keep you and your family cool, watch for signs of heat-related illnesses during this hot stretch. Make sure to stay out of the sun, stay in air-conditioning, keep hydrated, and keep pets out of the heat.

Check the latest forecast on Channel 11 News. Make sure to download our WPXI Weather App for the latest updates and alerts.

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