Storms down trees, wires in McDonald
Strong storms moved through Washington County Tuesday afternoon, leaving downed trees and wires behind. Flooding was reported on Johns Avenue in McDonald and West Chestnut Street in Washington.
According to Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, downed trees were reported in the McDonald area and in the area of Cecil-Bishop Road. The National Weather Service later confirmed a downburst – a strong downdraft which causes damaging winds on or near the ground – in the McDonald area.
“We’ve had a scattered line of very powerful thunderstorms moving through,” Hendricks said.
Firefighters in the McDonald area were dispatched to several calls of downed trees and wires.
According to West Penn Power, about 4,140 customers in Washington County and about 2,502 in Greene County were without electricity at 5:30 p.m. Utility crews were dispatched. The area remained under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m.