Region experiences high winds, downed trees, power lines
High winds caused problems across Western Pennsylvania Sunday afternoon, with reports of trees, power lines and utility poles down.
West Penn Power reported 10 percent of Washington County was without power, with more than 10,000 customers affected and a majority of them in the northern part of the county. More than 3,600 customers in Fayette County were affected, as well as 2,228 in Greene County, as of Sunday afternoon.
The power company posted on Facebook that “buckets cannot go in the air” if the winds are more than 40 miles per hour.
“Transporting materials and operating machinery to set new poles and equipment can also be challenging when wind gusts are strong,” the post read. “Damage assessment in order to develop restoration times will be ongoing.”
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning in effect from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning, with wind gusts reaching 65 miles per hour.
“Widespread power outages are expected,” the warning read. “Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”
The Washington dispatch center was busy Sunday afternoon with multiple reports of fallen trees blocking roads, downed or low power lines and calls for related to power outage emergencies.