Severe storms bring down trees, leaving thousands without power across Philadelphia region
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Severe storms triggered a tornado warning and brought down trees across the Philadelphia region on Thursday evening, leaving nearly 300,000 customers in the dark.
In Philadelphia's East Oak Lane section, a teen boy was injured by a falling tree on the 6400 block of North 11th Street. There was no immediate word on his condition.
Submit Your Breaking News Tips, Photos and Videos
"Immediately, the first thing me, my brother and cousin did was run over there with no questions asked. We went over there and tried to lift the tree. It was very heavy," recalled Lakye Powell, of East Oak Lane.
Strong winds also caused a small, unoccupied plane to overturn at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
Outside of the city, drivers had to find another route in Westtown Township, Chester County, after a large tree fell onto Concord Road near Oaklea Lane.
A woman had to be rescued from a home in Upper Darby. Officials say she was pinned by a massive tree that fell on the back of her home on Bond Avenue.
"She was fortunately conscious and alert when we removed her, so that's a good sign," said Dep. Chief Dennis Gallagher, with the Upper Darby Fire Department.
Before crews arrived, neighbors say they jumped into action following the woman's screams for help.
John DiStephano's black Mustang was one of two vehicles damaged by a falling tree in Drexel Hill.
"I heard a crash which I thought was thunder, but it wasn't thunder," he said.
And over in Bala Cynwyd, the storm damaged the roof at One Bala Plaza, home to rock station 93.3 WMMR. The view from Chopper 6 showed debris in the parking lot and at least one car damaged.
Nearly 300,000 PECO customers were without power during the height of the storm. PECO says it may take several days to get back to normal.
"Really extensive damage, and that's why we've suspended the estimated restoration times," explained PECO spokesperson Greg Smore.
Residents are reminded never to approach a downed power line and to call PECO at 1-800-841-4141. To report an outage, click here
The last of the severe storms pushed offshore. Behind Thursday night's cold front will come a refreshing west-northwest wind that will lower humidity levels and temperatures. Check the latest AccuWeather forecast at 6abc.action.news/weather.
