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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh storm power outages: resources, places to go, safety tips
Hundreds remain without power following powerful storms that moved through the Pittsburgh region on Tuesday. SEE PHOTOS OF THE STORM DAMAGE Drone 11 captures devastating storm damage across Western Pennsylvania Duquesne Light and First Energy crews are working around the clock to restore power. Duquesne Light officials said on Wednesday that it could take 5-7 days to fully restore power to all of its customers. We've put together this list of resources and more to help: If you are needing to report a power outage, emergency services across the area are asking you not to call 911. Instead, you need to call your power company. Duquesne Light Company (DQE) Number to report outages or downed lines: 1-888-393-7000 To Report an Outage Online - Outage Site Check the status of restoration here Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power) FirstEnergy Company Number to report outages or downed lines: 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) To Report an Outage Online - Outage Site Check the status of restoration here Pittsburgh The City of Pittsburgh has expanded the hours of operation at many Health and Active Living locations, with most staying open until 10 p.m. Click here to see a full list. Salvation Army The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania says anyone in need of assistance can contact their local Salvation Army Corps or Service Center, or the national helpline at 1-800-725-2769 Other places that have opened their doors to the community in need of charging their electronic devices and more: Penn Township Ambulance Association Borough of Dormont and Dormont Library Rivers Edge Volunteer Fire Department in Braddock K&J Comics and Games in West View Borough of Sharpsburg SouthBuffaloVFD in Freeport (charging stations, ice, and free spaghetti dinner from 12-7 Thursday) Fresh Nutrition in Penn Hills University of Pittsburgh's Community Engagement Center in Homewood If you would like to add your business or center to the list, email us at webstaff@ The American Red Cross put together a power outage checklist, including what to do during and after. Monitor alerts. Check local weather reports and any notifications by phone, television or radio. Utility officials may come to your door to alert you of a planned power outage. If available, sign up for local alerts and warning systems to notify you through a call or text to your phone. Contact your support network. Let people in your network know that you are OK, check to see if they're OK, and tell each other if you need help. Keep food cold and when in doubt, throw it out. Eat your fresh, perishable foods first. Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer to preserve cool temperatures. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Measure the food temperature in your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Throw out food that has been warmer than 40 degrees F. >>>Here's how long your food will last during a power outage Prevent power overloads and fire hazards. Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid power overloads or damage from power surges. Use flashlights, not candles. Turn off the utilities only if you suspect damage or if local officials instruct you to do so. Your gas line can only be turned on by a qualified professional. If any circuit breakers have been tripped, contact an electrician to inspect them before turning them on. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't use a gas stove to heat your home and do not use outdoor stoves indoors for heating or cooking. If using a generator, keep it outside in a well ventilated area away from windows. Decide if you need to stay or go. Evacuate if your home is too hot or too cold, or if you have medical devices that need power. Communities often provide warming or cooling centers and power charging stations. Keep away from power lines. Stay at least 35 feet away from fallen power lines and anything they are touching. Call 911 and let them know. Avoid electrical shock in flood areas. Don't go into flooded areas or use any electrical equipment or electronics that may have been submerged. Have a qualified electrical inspector check the electrical system. When in doubt, throw it out. If food is 40 degrees F or warmer, especially dairy and meat, throw it out. Ask your provider about using refrigerated medicines. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills outdoors only in well-ventilated areas at least 20 feet away from windows. Did you lose food during the power outage your purchased with SNAP? You can ask for replacement SNAP benefits to get new food. Just Harvest said you must ask within 10 days when nthe diaster occurred. You can get replacement SNAP benefits for the amount of food that you lost. You will complete the SNAP replacement form and contact your local County Assistance Office Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Oakmont resident recounts moment fast-moving, powerful storm sent tree falling onto powerlines
Residents in Oakmont reported to Channel 11 News that just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, winds began to increase, causing widespread power outages and massive trees to snap. The downed trees crashed into power lines, shutting down major thoroughfares like Hulton Road. Oakmont was one of the areas hardest hit in the region. Drone 11 captured images of trees uprooted and branches broken in half, blocking streets and bringing down power lines throughout the community. PHOTOS: Drone 11 captures devastating storm damage across Western Pennsylvania Local businesses were affected as well; many shops along Oakmont's main street were closed, with signs on their doors stating, 'Sorry, no power.' Oakmont Bakery was open for a brief period to fulfill pickup orders, while a nearby restaurant had to throw away food but managed to offer a limited menu for guests. 'I have never seen wind like this. I have been here since 1972,' shared Jack Eaton, a homeowner in Oakmont. Eaton recounted sitting in his living room when he first saw his welcome mat fly across his back deck. 'It went by so fast that I didn't know what it was at first; I thought it was a piece of wood or something,' he said. He noticed his awning rattling, but before he could assess the situation, a massive tree in his front yard snapped, taking several power lines down with it. 'The wind was so loud when it passed by that I couldn't tell what was happening,' he explained. This morning, Eaton discovered that shingles had been ripped from his roof and scattered across his lawn, also damaging his back patio. He showed Channel 11 the extent of the damage. Hulton Road between Allegheny Avenue and 5th Street in Oakmont will remain closed as residents wait for electricity to be restored. 'To be quite honest, we haven't seen anyone from the power company since the storm. I know Duquesne Light is busy elsewhere, although they claim Oakmont is one of the major areas affected,' Eaton said. Despite the destruction, Eaton considers himself fortunate, stating, 'Honestly, I told my wife that we are very lucky; we have minimal damage compared to what could have happened.' Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews in Westmoreland County begin removing trees, repairing damages after severe storms
Crews all across Westmoreland County were busy Wednesday cleaning up after Tuesday evening's storm. PHOTOS: Drone 11 captures devastating storm damage across Western Pennsylvania 'This is kind of an outlier. Last year, we had quite a bit of damage here in Westmoreland County due to the tornado at the end of June. This is pretty comparable,' said Logan Brinko of Brinko Tree Service. Brinko was at a home on McClellan Drive in Greensburg where a tree on a neighboring property cracked and crashed into a home. PHOTOS: Severe storms leave behind significant damage throughout Pittsburgh region Channel 11's Andrew Havranek spoke with the homeowner off-camera. He said he and his family were inside when the tree hit but they are all okay. 'That's wonderful,' said Bill Humes, a neighbor. 'I mean, just think what would have happened if it had been otherwise. It would have been horrible.' The home on McClellan Drive is just one of dozens of homes Brinko said his family's company is working to clear trees from after Tuesday's storm. 'Last night we had about a dozen. Woke up this morning, easily doubling that,' Brinko said. 'I'd say actively we have anywhere from 30 to 40 trees actively on homes. We have many crews out right now in the process of getting those trees off the homes.' The process to clear a massive tree off a home like this can take a bit of time. Brinko said their crews got to McClellan Drive at 9 a.m. and mostly finished up before 2 p.m. 'Luckily, we were able to get the crane set up really close in this situation,' Brinko said. 'The closer the crane is able to set up, the stronger, and more capacity he's good for.' If a tree falls on your home during a storm, Brinko said to call a tree removal and roofing company as soon as you can. They're able to work while you're also handling your insurance claim. The whole process can cost quite a bit of money, depending on the situation. 'Between the tree removal, the roofing contractors, if there's any water mitigation company and restoration companies who have to fix the home, I would say it's tens of thousands of dollars,' Brinko said. And the best way to avoid those costs and damage, Brinko said, is to manage trees before a storm can break them. It's advice some neighbors say they're going to take. 'I'm gonna go home and cut some trees down,' Humes said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Strong winds tear roof off historic Beaver County church
A congregation is weighing its options after the church roof was torn off during Tuesday's powerful storm. PHOTOS: Drone 11 captures devastating storm damage across Western Pennsylvania Frankfort Presbyterian Church has sat along Route 18 in Frankfort Springs Borough, Beaver County since 1790. Wednesday afternoon, crews had already installed a temporary fix over the gaping hole. 'It was really surprising. I saw it on a picture first. I brought my other out. There were a bunch of church poeple here at that point but really nothing we could do,' a longtime member told Channel 11. It's just another bump in the road. The roof was replaced after a lightning strike and fire in 2007. PHOTOS: Severe storms leave behind significant damage throughout Pittsburgh region 'Should you just give up and do it in the basement and forget about the rest of it? Just one of those things,' he said. The membership has shrunk over the years, but the building is a community landmark. 'It not being there would be a big shock. It's part of the community. People still get married here. There are still baptisms.' The roof is insured. The good news here is that there was minimal damage to the sanctuary. Sunday's 11 a.m. service should go on as scheduled. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
