Severe Storms Bring Power Outages, Trees Down in the Region

Severe thunderstorms rolled through the region causing power outages, downed trees and debris.

Duquesne Light Co. was working to restore power to customers scattered throughout the area, including customers in Ambridge, Sewickley and Moon. As of 11:40 p.m. about 6,800 customers were out of service, fewer than 13,000 earlier in the evening.

By Wednesday morning, approximately 3,900 customers were out of service, including a large portion of Sewickley residences and businesses.

Joey Vallarian, Duquesne Light spokesman, said crews were working as quickly and safely to bring everyone back online, but said there was "a significant amount of damage" to deal with. All customers are expected to be back in power no later than 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

In Edgeworth, crews were called to Nichols Field to remove a large tree that came down and was blocking the driveway, according to reports.

Over in Sewickley, the storm caused a tree branch to fall in front of the door of a house, blocking access to the front.

The National Weather Service issued a thunderstorm watch for Allegheny County that expired at midnight.

Forecasters say there is a slight risk for severe storms again today, the main threat being damaging winds and large hail.

Storms that do develop will be capable of producing heavy rain, according to the weather service.


Here's a look at the forecast:

• Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 69. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

• Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 11 to 14 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

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