High winds, power outages hit region as storms blow through

By Joe Napsha and Brian C. Rittmeyer

Trib Total Media

More than 13,000 customers of West Penn Power Co. and Duquesne Light were without power Sunday afternoon as a result of high winds that swept through Southwestern Pennsylvania, toppling trees and down power lines, the utility companies and emergency dispatching centers reported.

There were small-scale power outages scattered throughout the Mon Valley. 

Several areas were hit in most towns. Monongahela’s Fourth Street, Route 481, Vine Street and Applewood Drive had about 100 total customers without power, according to West Penn Power’s outages map.

There were up to 20 outages in Buena Vista, up to 40 in Charleroi, up to 40 in Dunlevy, up to 20 in Greenock, up to 20 in Lincoln Borough, up to 40 in Long Branch, up to 40 in New Eagle, up to 40 in Speers and up to 20 in Twilight.

Keenan Road off of Dry Run Road in Monongahela had between 100 and 500 customers without power and there were between 500 and 1,500 customers in Rostraver Township who lost power.

Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph were widespread, National Weather Service meteorologist Shannon Hefferan said. The fastest reported gust was 62 mph at the Washington County Airport; a 54 mph gust was recorded around 2:30 p.m. at the Allegheny County Airport, followed by a 46 mph gust at Pittsburgh International around 2:50 p.m.

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