As of 5 PM on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, over 300,000 homes and businesses in Pennsylvania remain without power, primarily between Pittsburgh and State College. This comes on the heels of a powerful storm that struck the region just a day prior, knocking out electricity to more than 240,000 customers and causing extensive damage.
Lead Forecaster Josh Adams has warned that the last thing residents need is more severe weather, but unfortunately, another round of damaging winds, hail, and the potential for an isolated tornado is expected on Thursday, May 1, 2025. According to Adams, the greatest threat will be west of Route 15.
Clusters of thunderstorms are predicted to develop by mid-afternoon on Thursday, with a broken line of strong to severe storms anticipated along the Pennsylvania-Ohio border around 4 PM. By dinnertime, these storms are expected to push into the Alleghenies, with additional storm activity approaching Western Pennsylvania from Ohio. Notably, around 6 PM, some potent pop-up storms may occur in South Central Pennsylvania.
The severe weather threat looks most widespread around 8 PM on Thursday, with multiple clusters and lines of strong to severe thunderstorms affecting central and western Pennsylvania. Central PA, stretching from the Allegheny Front to the ridge and valley section, is likely to be the focal point of severe activity by sunset.
Even after sunset, models indicate that a strong line of storms will continue in Central PA, although it is expected to weaken thereafter. This is particularly concerning for areas like State College, which are still recovering from the previous storm.
In light of the ongoing power outages, a new power outage forecast map has been introduced to help residents prepare for the upcoming storm. Areas have been categorized based on the expected impact: Area A indicates scattered outages (10-25% of the county), while Area B suggests isolated outages (5-15%).
Following the storm on April 29, Duquesne Light described the damage as ‘unprecedented’ and ‘historic.’ John Hilderbrand II, Vice President of Operations at Duquesne Light, reported that the storm created over 20,000 individual hazard reports, including downed power lines, broken poles, and fallen trees. “This is unlike anything we’ve seen,” Hilderbrand stated.
The hardest-hit areas include Allegheny and Beaver counties, where hundreds of thousands remain without power. Mayor Ed Gainey of Pittsburgh confirmed that 400 outside crews were en route to assist, in addition to the 70 already on site. City crews are actively working to remove over 180 downed trees.
Tragically, the storm has already claimed two lives. One man was electrocuted in the South Side Slopes, and a 22-year-old in State College died after coming into contact with live wires while attempting to extinguish a fire. Additionally, two Pittsburgh firefighters were injured during the storm response, with one treated on scene and the other hospitalized but in stable condition.
Restoration efforts by Duquesne Light will follow a strict priority system, focusing first on life-threatening hazards, then hospitals and critical infrastructure, followed by neighborhood clusters, and finally individual outages. Hilderbrand urged patience from the public, estimating that it could take five to seven days to restore full service, barring any new storms.
The National Weather Service has also issued warnings for the possibility of more rain and wind later in the week, raising concerns about the cumulative impact of these weather events.
Emergency officials are emphasizing safety, urging residents to treat all downed wires as live and to maintain a safe distance. If anyone encounters a downed wire, they are advised to stay at least 30 feet away and call 911. Non-emergency hazards can be reported to Duquesne Light at 888-393-7000. Parents and caregivers have been urged to keep children away from damaged power lines and trees, with Mayor Gainey noting, “We know kids want to be outside, but this is not safe. Please talk to them today.”
The April 29 storm brought wind gusts exceeding 71 mph at Pittsburgh International Airport, marking one of the highest gusts ever recorded there. Across Pennsylvania, nearly 250,000 customers lost power, with West Penn Power also reporting extensive tree and equipment damage affecting over 190,000 customers.
As the region braces for more severe weather, residents are reminded to prepare accordingly. It’s crucial to charge important electronics and to be ready for potential outages. The forecasted storms could exacerbate the already challenging situation, making it essential for everyone to stay informed and prioritize safety.
