Storms Move Through Western Pa., Cause Damage, And Usher In Big Weather Changes
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- After a stretch of warm temperatures and sunny skies, a line of strong storms moved through western Pennsylvania Friday evening, ushering in big weather changes just in time for fall's arrival.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was in effect for much of the evening for Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties, but it has since been allowed to expire.
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However, a Flood Advisory was issued for Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties until midnight.
A Tornado Warning was also issued at one point for Clarion, Forest and Venango Counties, but that was also allowed to expire, along with several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.
Here is our main focus for tonight: this line of thunderstorms is just about to enter into our area. The primary concern with these storms will be strong down-burst winds, cloud to ground lightning, and perhaps an isolated tornado. pic.twitter.com/B66HkxdBu7
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) September 21, 2018
The storms wrecked havoc across the area with reports of downed trees and wires in parts of Allegheny County, like Ross Township, Shaler Township and McCandless. Damage was also reported in West Mifflin and Plum.
By 10 p.m., Duquesne Light said they had about 5,400 customers without power. The majority of those outages were in the Beaver County area, as well as about 1,200 in Allegheny County in Monroeville.
In Allegheny County, officials say they had to shut down part of Saw Mill Run Boulevard due to flooding.
Pittsburgh: Saw Mill Run Boulevard (Route 51) at Bausman Street is closed due to flooding.
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) September 22, 2018
The storms also put a damper on Friday night lights.
At high school football games around the area, many headed for the exits. The crowds didn't stick around at the North Hills High School game when the rain started pouring down just before 8 p.m., and there was a mass exodus through the gates.
Meanwhile, over in Shaler Township, huge tree limbs came crashing down onto a home on Autumnwood Drive, leaving a hole in the roof and a mess on the lawn, and big fears for emergency workers.
"There just seems to be a hole in the roof, in the family room, the front room here," said Shaler Township Building Inspector Bob Vita.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Now, the concern is for another loose limb that's hanging precariously in the tree.
"There appears to be a branch that wasn't completely broken off, that is heading out into the street," said Vita.
With the storms now through the area, the cool down begins.
"We'll head down overnight into the mid-50s with lingering clouds and a much cooler weekend," said KDKA Chief Meteorologist Jeff Verszyla.
He is forecasting temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
Stay KDKA for the latest on the weather conditions.