Straight line winds caused damage in parts of PA, NJ after storm sweeps through Philly region: NWS
Weather experts noted that, at this time, they do not see any evidence of a tornado.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Tens of thousands remain without power Friday as crews work to clean up a mess of downed trees after strong storms that swept through the Philadelphia region during rush hour Thursday.
PECO says nearly 300,000 customers lost power during the storm. However, as of Friday afternoon, it's down to 101,000.
Still, work continues to restore power and clean up the mess.
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At one point, the severe storms triggered a tornado warning.
The National Weather Service says straight-line winds caused some of the storm damage in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Weather experts said the straight-line winds were upwards of 60 to 70 mph. However, they noted that, at this time, they do not see any evidence of a tornado.
Debris is still causing problems in places like Montgomery County.
The Action Cam spotted a tree down on Willow Grove Avenue near Fenton Road in Glenside. It also knocked down power lines.
Jeremy Sirkan with Executive Tree Care said calls for service were over 100.
"Today's pretty crazy, we have four tree crews out, two of our cranes were removing a lot of trees off a house," he said.
Brian Roeder was grilling in his backyard in Delaware County when the storm hit. He says he walked out to find his neighbor's car crushed.
"There's dents on the front of the car, it took in the roof, part of the windshield," he recalled.
The power outages remain widespread. At the Holly House in the 500 block of North Providence in Media, more than 100 residents are still waiting for power, many are seniors.
PECO says it may take several days to get back to normal.
"There's so many outtages from trees down, so we're working circuits down of those that serve the most customers so we can have the most customers on as possible and then working to get those smaller pockets of outages," Tom Brubaker, PECO's senior manager of marketing and communications told Action News Friday.
Brubaker urged those dealing with outages to find public places to avoid to heat, like malls, grocery stores and libraries.
Philadelphia wasn't spared by the storm. Chopper 6 spotted a tree that came crashing down on a church in the Roxborough neighborhood.
In the city's East Oak Lane section, a teen boy was injured by a falling tree on the 6400 block of North 11th Street. There was no immediate word on his condition.
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"Immediately, the first thing me, my brother and cousin did was run over there with no questions asked. We went over there and tried to lift the tree. It was very heavy," recalled Lakye Powell, of East Oak Lane.
Strong winds also caused a small, unoccupied plane to overturn at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
Outside of the city, drivers had to find another route in Westtown Township, Chester County, after a large tree fell onto Concord Road near Oaklea Lane.
A woman had to be rescued from a home in Upper Darby. Officials say she was pinned by a massive tree that fell on the back of her home on Bond Avenue.
"She was fortunately conscious and alert when we removed her, so that's a good sign," said Dep. Chief Dennis Gallagher, with the Upper Darby Fire Department.
Before crews arrived, neighbors say they jumped into action following the woman's screams for help.
John DiStephano's black Mustang was one of two vehicles damaged by a falling tree in Drexel Hill.
"I heard a crash which I thought was thunder, but it wasn't thunder," he said.
And over in Bala Cynwyd, the storm damaged the roof at One Bala Plaza, home to rock station 93.3 WMMR. The view from Chopper 6 showed debris in the parking lot and at least one car damaged.
The storms also caused issues at Abington Hospital on Thursday night. The medical facility had to temporarily close after a power outage.
The hospital, in the 1200 block of Old York Road, lost power around 9 p.m. Trauma patients had to be temporarily diverted to other facilities. Action News was told power was restored and the ER reopened around 11 p.m. on Thursday.
The storms also caused several delays on SEPTA's Regional Rail. An Action News viewer sent us this video of a fire near the Ardsley Station off Jenkintown Road in Glenside. It appears a tree fell on the overhead wire, sparking a fire. There has been no word on the damage.
A large tree also fell across Route 29 in Trenton, blocking all of the southbound lanes near the Calhoun Street exit. Tree branches also came down in front of the State Museum on State Street.
After the storm came the rainbow.
A colorful arc formed over Middletown, Bucks County, and many other communities, as you see from Chopper 6. People went looking for the bright colors after the nasty weather.
Residents are reminded never to approach a downed power line and to call PECO at 1-800-841-4141. To report an outage, click here
