Severe Weather Rolls Through Western Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Several severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of Western Pennsylvania Sunday.
Multiple counties were placed under a severe thunderstorm warning between the hours of 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Greene County, Wetzel County and Monongalia County that expired at 7 p.m.
A flash flood warning was issued for Greene County and Fayette County, and expired at 10 p.m.
The quick, heavy rain saturated the ground - causing damage in several areas. A tree came down from the hillside overlooking Carson Street between the Corliss Tunnel and the West End Circle. Traffic had to be rerouted while city crews removed it.
Firefighters were called to several scenes throughout the area for reported lightning strikes. One in Grove City, hit the Orchard Manor Assisted Living Facility forcing more than 100 people to be moved after it sparked a fire on the roof.
"We had the mass casualty plan which brought in 11 ambulances and they took over moving the patients and what they did was assist the nursing staff which was already moving people," explained Chief Levi Hipps with the Pine Township Fire Department.
127 people total, including ten who are bed bound, were moved to a safer part of the building while fire fighters tackled the blaze.
"We sent a crew to the interior to gain access space to the attack and Grove City's aerial went to the roof and was able to extinguish the fire that was on the roof," Hipps said.
Firefighters were also called to a home in the 200 block of sygan road in south fayette township - where lightning reported struck a home, the turned into a three alarm fire. Officials say the flames were limited to the lower level of the home.
Duquesne Light reports that about 750 homes were without power Sunday night. Among the hardest-hit areas were portions of Wilkins Township, Penn Hills, and Plum Boro.
Although some power was expected to be restored by midnight, a Duquesne Light spokeswoman told KDKA that other homes may not have their power restored until morning.
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