Major Snowstorm Causes Power Outages, State of Emergency in Pennsylvania
According to the Allegheny Power website, more than 250,000 residents have reported power outages with the largest number being reported in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania. As of 1 p.m. Saturday, that number had been reduced to 194,000 My in-laws live in southwestern Pennsylvania, between Pittsburgh and Uniontown, and as of Saturday morning, they were without power or phone service.
I was able to speak with my mother-in-law, B, by cell phone but the connection was intermittent. The call was cut out at one point and Verizon re-routed me to a recorded message stating the number was no longer in service. She was able to call me back and get enough of a signal to assure me they were safe and give me further details on the conditions where they live.
My mother-in-law and father-in-law actually live in a rural area called East Millsboro. She reported a minimum of about 17 inches of snow per her measurements (although she is certain there are several more inches of snow since she made her initial measurement early Saturday) and as of 1 p.m. eastern time, the snow was still falling in their location.
B told me that a number of pine trees and maple trees in their yard had broken limbs due to the weight of the heavy snowfall. She said that the sounds of tree limbs cracking can be heard outside and that no traffic is moving, although snow plows did run last night. B said that when she called her electric company to report the outage, a recorded message stated that it might be February 10 before the power could be restored. Her sister was told that power would be restored by midnight Saturday.
B said that she has been working to clear their driveway enough to get out in the event of an emergency. My father-in-law just got home after having bypass surgery and B is concerned about receiving medical care if his condition takes a downturn. She said she cooked breakfast on a camp stove and they are using kerosene heaters to stay warm.
While my in-laws do have a gas furnace and oven, they are newer and require electric ignitions to start. The furnace needs electricity to blow heat throughout their home. The terrain in the southwestern Pennsylvania area where my in-laws live is windy and hilly with narrow roads which makes driving conditions even more hazardous. B said that official advisories have urged Pennsylvania residents to stay in their homes.
Sources:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=3053&PageID=431159&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/news_releases/governor_s_office/news_releases/governor_rendell_declares_disaster_emergency_in_pennsylvania.html
http://www.alleghenypower.com/StormReport.asp
Published by Tammy Lee Morris - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Tammy Lee Morris is a lifelong resident of southern Illinois where she enjoys a quiet life in a rural area. After working for a local newspaper while studying journalism at a local community college, she dev... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentThis has been going on for quite ome time now,,,,right!
We got about a foot here, but no major power outages. From the looks of my yard, I'm surprised more limbs haven't fallen. I hope everyone in your family is ok.
Most have power in Indiana I heard. I do!
Hopefully people will stay put in their homes until it's safe to be on the roads. Things are going to be rough for awhile with no electricity. Good luck :)
I pray your In-laws ge their power back on soon. I've been watching the reports on the News. Stay safe.
Great article I hope your family bundles up good.
Wow! And I thought it was bad here.
yikes! we got away better than i thought we would here. :) jeffrey
Gosh I am glad I am not living in Pennsylvania right now. My thoughts are with all the residents of the area.
Northern Maryland and Delaware were hit pretty hard with snow. No power outages that I know of. Some of the snow banks from plowed streets and parking lot are about as tall as I am, and I am 6ft tall!