School closings, power outages, flooded roads across Philadelphia region after storms move through
Fast-moving thunderstorms packing heavy rain, high winds and pockets of large hail swept through the Philadelphia region Thursday night and Friday morning. The storms toppled some trees and scattered branches and debris, flooded some roads and knocked out power to a few thousand across the area.
Areas like Delaware County in Pennsylvania and Gloucester and Camden counties appeared to be the hardest hit, as storm damage reports came in through the morning.
Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service said they found that the storm damage in Delaware County was caused by straight line winds. The NWS released more findings from its damage survey Friday night.
"The damage to multiple roofs as well as snapping of trees along their trunks leads to an estimated maximum wind speed of 95-105 mph," the report read in part.
Power outage numbers from around the region showed the most affected area was Delaware County, followed by Gloucester County. These numbers of customers without power are current as of 6:30 p.m.
- PECO - 1,259 (1,150 in Delco)
- PPL - 18
- Delmarva - 10
- PSE&G - 329
- AC Electric - 116
The totals are steadily coming down from their peaks of about 6,000 customers without power for PECO and 1,800 for PSE&G.
Storm damage in Wallingford, Nether Providence Township, Media, Pennsylvania: Ridley and Wallingford-Swarthmore school closures
In Delaware County, the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (WSSD) was closed due to the power outages in the area, Superintendent Jim Scanlon told parents and staff Friday morning.
"We are unable to get our buses to many of our neighborhoods due to road closures," Scanlon said.
NWS logged several storm damage reports from Nether Providence Township, where the WSSD is located.
On North Providence Road, CBS News Philadelphia saw that a tree had knocked down power lines and blocked drivers from passing.
Elsewhere in Delaware County, Ridley High School closed early after a power outage.
"Due to a power outage, the Ridley High School will be closing at 8:20 AM today. All high school students will be sent home at this time," the school said on its website.
Residents described the scary moments that came with the Thursday night into Friday morning storm.
"As we came through and looked out the window, we could barely see," said Ron Cole, who lives in Wallingford. "The rain was coming down so heavy, and then we heard what sounded like a train coming through, winds were really, really bad."
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The work is now focused on getting streets reopened and power restored for hundreds in the area.
"I really thought bombs were going off, and then it sounded like something – the windows were going to shatter, so we all huddled in the hallway. It was an intense storm going on," said Nicole Mollichella, who lives in Wallingford.
Storm damage in Gloucester Township, New Jersey
Several reports of damage came in from Gloucester Township, New Jersey, as well on Friday.
It was a rude awakening for many people on Friday morning, including Julie English. Security video outside her home in Gloucester Township captured the heavy rain, hail, and winds that startled her out of a sound sleep.
"It was just loud noise, and I felt like the roof was going to come off because it was so loud," said English, who was home at the time with her two kids.
English said that when she looked out her back window just after 5 a.m. Friday, she saw power lines on fire, and in her front yard, a tree toppled over and took out a light pole.
"So, I come outside to see all that, and as soon as I open the door, I just get hit with a smell of gas," English said.
Across the street behind Don Lippi's home, one tree took out part of his fence, and another ruptured a gas line.
"That's what really caught my attention, so I called 911 and they came out," Lippi said.
Gloucester Township police said they responded to several reports of trees on wires and several roads flooded after the powerful storm raced through South Jersey. A basketball net landed on a car in the Broadmoor development, shutters landed in yards, and a home's skylight window nearly blew away.
Gloucester Township police said a large tree fell and blocked access to Roberts Drive, also in the Broadmoor development. Several sticks and branches could be seen in the water-filled Chatham Drive in a photo the police department shared on Facebook.
"Just incredible wind, rain, and hail against the bedroom window like I've never heard of before," said John Stanley.
As quickly as the storm blew in, crews raced to get everything cleaned up. Chainsaws could be heard around the township as public works crews and tree companies worked around the clock.
English says she is thankful her home only suffered minor damage.
"I'm just glad that it's over, the sun is coming out, and at least we're safe," English said.
Gloucester Township police said they had no reports of injuries.
