UPDATES: Strong winds causing damage, power outages across area

PITTSBURGH — UPDATE 7:00 p.m.: Enjoy some time outdoors this weekend after a wild weather Friday. There will be plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. It will be a nice break after a day of strong winds and damage.

Another fast-moving system will bring showers back into the area before sunrise Sunday along with the chance for a few storms. Right now, the higher threat for storms is south of Pittsburgh along I-70, but stay with Severe Weather Team 11 through the weekend as we update the track and timing.

Winds will pick up through the day Sunday. While it won’t be nearly as windy as Friday, there will be occasional gusts near 30 mph.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: An elderly couple were taken to the hospital after strong winds caused a tree to crash down onto their car while driving in North Irwin.

“Crews from North Huntingdon and Irwin had to take the door off to be able to get her out safely,” said Shane Spielvogle, one of the rescuers. “I think they were very lucky.”

Man, woman taken to hospital after tree falls on moving car

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: All warnings and advisories have been canceled, per the Pittsburgh National Weather Service.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: A tree split in half along Orchard Road in Scott Township.

UPDATE 10:40 a.m.: Friday’s wind is causing intermittent interruptions for people calling 911 in Allegheny County, an Allegheny County Emergency Services official said.

Some callers are not being connected when calling 911. If the call does not connect, people are asked to call 412-473-3056.

UPDATE 10:15 a.m.: Power outages continue to be reported across the area. Here are updated numbers.

West Penn Power:

• Allegheny County: 1,735
• Armstrong County: 664
• Beaver County: 1,377
• Butler County: 1,238
• Fayette County: 1,185
• Greene County: 782
• Indiana County: 74
• Lawrence County: 6,473
• Mercer County: 1,269
• Washington County: 561
• Westmoreland County: 1,802

Duquesne Light is reporting 6,767 outages.

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: A driver apparently crashed into a tree that fell on Banksville Road. The car sustained front end damage, but no one was hurt.

UPDATE 8:55 a.m.: Thousands of people are without power across the area.

West Penn Power:

• Lawrence County: 11,482
• Washington County: 607
• Westmoreland County: 453
• Butler County: 542
• Beaver County: 311

Duquesne Light is reporting 1,633 outages. Most of them are in Robinson.

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UPDATE 8:30 a.m.: A tree crashed down onto a home as winds picked up Friday morning in Shaler Township. CLICK HERE for the full story.

ORIGINAL STORY: Strong winds could create spotty power outages across the area Friday and bring some damage with them.

A high wind warning is in effect until 2 p.m. for the ridges of Westmoreland and Fayette counties, as well as Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer counties.

The rest of the area is under a wind advisory until 6 p.m.

Wind will pick up early, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible through early afternoon. The strongest winds may be in the area from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

There will be a few showers through the day, but most of the daylight hours will be dry. Temperatures will spend most of the day in the 50s.

If you want to receive alerts about weather, download our Severe Weather Team 11 app.

The weekend will be a 50/50 proposition. It will be dry and warm Saturday. Sunday will be wet much of the day, with rain tapering off later in the day.

Forecasted high winds have people, companies preparing for damage

Cox Media Group