PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Severe storms wreaked havoc across Pennsylvania and Missouri on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, resulting in at least three deaths and widespread power outages. The storms, characterized by intense winds and heavy rainfall, left hundreds of thousands without electricity and caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
In Pennsylvania, two men were electrocuted during the storms. One victim, a man from Pittsburgh, was struck by live wires around 7 p.m. The second victim, a 22-year-old from State College, was electrocuted while attempting to extinguish a mulch fire caused by fallen wires. Emergency services confirmed these fatalities as the storms intensified in the evening.
As the storms swept through the region, they brought with them wind gusts exceeding 80 mph, leading to widespread destruction. The National Weather Service reported that these winds were stronger than many of the smaller EF-0 and EF-1 tornadoes typically seen in the area. In fact, the storms were so severe that they resulted in over 700,000 power outages across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by Tuesday evening, with Allegheny County bearing the brunt of the damage.
According to Duquesne Light Company, more than 195,000 customers in Allegheny County were without power early Wednesday morning, while FirstEnergy Corp. reported over 100,000 outages across several counties, including Washington and Westmoreland. The severity of the storm led Duquesne Light to label the event as "unprecedented in DLC’s history," with restoration efforts expected to take five to seven days.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey urged residents to stay indoors while cleanup efforts were underway. "We have 400 additional crews coming in to assist with restoration," he said, emphasizing the need for safety during this chaotic time.
In addition to the fatalities, the storms caused significant disruptions. The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department reported experiencing 911 outages due to the overwhelming number of emergency calls, with dispatchers receiving around 1,000 calls per minute at the height of the storm. Local residents reported widespread damage, including downed trees, damaged roofs, and felled power lines. In the Beechview neighborhood, winds ripped the roof off Fiori’s Pizzaria, while other areas saw trees crashing into homes and vehicles.
As the storm moved through Missouri earlier in the day, it also caused extensive damage. Thunderstorms in Springfield generated wind gusts of up to 91 mph, prompting emergency responses and shelter-in-place orders for schools during tornado warnings. Communities in Missouri reported widespread damage, with numerous downed trees and power lines, particularly in towns like Freistatt, Monett, and Aurora. Camp Barnabas, an organization in Purdy that serves individuals with chronic illnesses, was also affected.
The National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm warnings throughout the day, alerting residents to the potential for destructive winds and heavy rainfall. The storms were part of a larger weather system that stretched from Texas to Vermont, with a significant level 2-of-5 risk of severe thunderstorms affecting a vast 1,800-mile area.
As the cleanup continues, local authorities are urging residents to report downed power lines and avoid driving around barricades. Public works crews are actively clearing debris, and utility companies are working around the clock to restore power. However, the ground in many areas has become saturated from previous rainfall, increasing the risk of flash flooding as additional storms are expected.
In Oklahoma, flash flooding from storms the weekend prior had already prompted high-water rescues and resulted in at least five fatalities. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a level 3-of-4 risk of flooding rainfall for parts of northern Texas and much of Oklahoma, warning that the situation could become life-threatening.
As meteorologists predict further storms in the coming days, the risk of additional severe weather remains high. Communities across the affected regions are bracing for what could be a multi-day flood event, with the potential for more damaging winds and heavy rainfall.
The situation remains fluid, and local officials are working diligently to assess the damage and restore normalcy. As Pittsburgh and surrounding areas begin the long process of recovery, the impact of this severe weather event will be felt for days to come.
