Heavy winds in Philadelphia area lead to downed trees, travel disruptions, power outages
Bitterly cold wind chill temperatures put the Philadelphia area under a NEXT Weather Alert Thursday. Wind advisories were issued across the region with wind gusts between 40 to 50 mph and up to 55 mph down the shore and in the Poconos.
Heavy winds knocked down trees and caused scattered power outages and travel delays across the region. Things are calmer Friday, though there's still a breeze making temperatures feel colder – it won't feel much warmer than 25 or so, and that's at the warmest part of the day.
Here's a look at all the impacts of yesterday's windy conditions:
Train travel disruptions reported on SEPTA, Amtrak
Some rail services in the Philadelphia area experienced travel delays and suspensions because of damage caused by heavy winds.
SEPTA said its Paoli/Thorndale Line service was suspended for the rest of the day Thursday because of downed trees on the tracks near Paoli Station. The transit agency urged commuters can use its Trip Planner to find alternative routes.
Amtrak service between Philadelphia and Lancaster was temporarily suspended after trees fell on overhead wires, but service later resumed. Amtrak said customers should expect delays.
Passengers at 30th Street Station Thursday evening said they had waited several hours for trains. Meanwhile in Ardmore, some people waiting for SEPTA's Paoli-Thorndale trains were surprised to find out service was suspended.
Both SEPTA and Amtrak are urging passengers to check their transit apps for the latest schedules before the morning commute on Friday morning as repairs continue.
Power outages in the Philadelphia region
The heavy winds have led to power outages affecting thousands of people in the region Thursday, though many outages were resolved overnight.
As of 6 a.m. Friday:
- PECO says 558 customers are without power
- PPL says 18 customers don't have power
- PSEG and Atlantic City Electric have fewer than 40 customers without power
- Delmarva Power says 45 customers are in the dark
Winds lead to early dismissal for 2 Montgomery County schools
Two schools in Montgomery County were dismissed early Thursday after heavy winds downed trees and power lines.
According to Superintendent Scott Eveslage, Hatboro-Horsham High School and Keith Valley Middle School were let out early today at 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.
In a letter to the community, Eveslage said winds downed some trees and power lines near KVMS, leading to the closure of Moreland Road near Meetinghouse Road.
Eveslage said after-school and evening activities at the middle school were canceled.
The superintendent said three Hatboro-Horsham School District schools experienced power outages today, including the Keith Valley Middle School and Hallowell and Blair Mill elementary schools.
"Power is being supplemented by the generators on site," Eveslage wrote. "Essential functions of the buildings are operable, albeit in some limited capacity, including electric, plumbing, heat and emergency systems."
Eveslage said the elementary schools will dismiss at normal times, and after-school programming through Right at School will proceed as scheduled.
One dead, another injured after tree falls on car in Chester County
According to Chester County dispatch, a parent was killed after a tree fell onto a car in West Whiteland Township around 10 a.m. Thursday. County dispatch said a child was rushed to an area hospital and later released to a family member.
Whipping winds send Christmas trees, decorations flying in New Jersey
Whipping winds and bitterly cold temperatures couldn't dampen Mike Yurkow's spirits on Thursday. He braved the elements in Audubon to pick out the perfect Christmas tree.
"Let me tell you what. The weather wouldn't be bad if it wasn't for the wind and it's all wide open here," Yurkow said, "so there's nothing to block the wind."
The strong gusts sent some of the Firs flying at Walt's Christmas Trees on the Black Horse Pike, keeping Eric Pelkofsky busy.
"Where the river is, the wind just funnels right across the river blows all the trees around," Pelkofsky said. "There's trash going all over the place trees are falling over."
The heavy winds launched some decorations into the air, and others were toppled over in yards across South Jersey.
On Nicholson Road in Audubon, drivers had to dodge trash cans rolling down the road. Trash cans were also knocked over and scattered across several neighborhoods.
In Haddonfield, people were bundled up, and some shoppers stepped inside stores to get a break from the cold.
Terry Delaney said they were spoiled by the mild weather in November.
"I think this is just a matter of we weren't ready for it, and that's why it feels especially cold," said Delaney, who was walking downtown.
The wind is also being blamed for power outages across South Jersey. Atlantic City Electric told CBS News Philadelphia crews were working as quickly and as safely as possible to restore power.
