Winds Wreak Havoc On Doylestown Area

Powerful winds caused downed trees and wires, prompting multiple road closures and knocking power for thousands in the Doylestown area on Monday.

Pine Run Road between Rickert Road and Limekiln Road was closed after downed power lines due to high winds caused a dwelling fire. Specific details on the severity of the fire were not immediately available.

Turk Road between Pebble Hill Road and Oak Drive was closed due to tree down on wires blocking the roadway and Edison Furlong Road between Pebble Hill Road and Woodcrest Lane was closed for the same reason.

All roads remain closed as of 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said. "PECO will continue to make repairs today. Please avoid these areas until the repairs are completed."

More than 34,000 PECO customers were without power due to the high winds on Monday afternoon, including at least 16,800 in Bucks County. In Doylestown, more than 5,500 were without power — 3,300 in the township and 2,280 in the borough, according to PECO — at 1:45 p.m.

Some Central Bucks schools lost power and were operating on generator power. Officials said the power went out at CB West, Lenape, Doyle, and Bridge Valley. "Students and staff are comfortable," the district said in a social media update.

High winds also brought down a tree at both Buckingham Elementary and CB South. "No one was injured and facilities and energy management operations are taking measures to remove any debris," the district said.

The Doylestown branch of the YMCA lost power, forcing it to temporarily suspended programs and close the pools. Central Bucks Regional PD offices had to close early due to an outage, as well as Doylestown Borough offices.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the raging winds, which have gusted higher than 50 mph in the Philadelphia region, would continue throughout Monday evening. A high wind warning was in effect through 6 p.m. Monday night.

Gusts of up to 60 mph were possible Monday, the NWS said. According to information from the NWS, gusts of 57 mph were recorded in Buckingham Township.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles," the high wind warning said. The wet ground conditions are conducive to falling trees and poles, forecasters note.

Property damage is possible, as sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can cause such damage.