Route 48 Reopens In North Versailles After Storm Leaves Behind Mess
NORTH VERSAILLES (KDKA) -- Cleanup is underway in North Versailles after strong storms knocked down trees and power lines and shut down a busy stretch of Route 48.
The severe weather that rolled through North Versailles Wednesday night left behind a path of destruction.
"I've never seen rain that heavy," said Pat Schmeltz, a neighbor. "It was so loud, it sounded like explosions. We thought maybe a transformer had exploded. It was strange. Every house on the street got trees down."
Along Route 48, the wind took several dozen trees down and with them wires, wiping out power.
"Well, it went out last night about 10 o'clock and we haven't had anything since then," said Schmeltz.
According to PennDOT, Route 48 – or Mosside Boulevard - is shut down between Route 30 and Route 130. Many drivers found themselves on the roadway today with the only option being to turn around.
"Someone got out and moved all the cones," said Deseray Klepfer, a driver. "That's why everybody keeps coming down.
In addition to taking down trees, cutting power and closing a road, the storm did a lot of physical damage. One garage was taken out by a falling tree.
On the job since midnight, Duquesne Light crews continue to try to reestablish power, leaving customers and commuters to try to make the best of it.
"I'll take the Turnpike cause I don't know any other way to go," said Klepfer of her commute.
"I'm napping in a chair since I was up all night," added Schmeltz.
Officials reopened Route 43 around 2:30 p.m.. There's no word though on when power will be restored.
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