PECO Power Outages Spike To 33K As Winds Close Schools, Roads

Raging winds that are moving through the Philadelphia region have caused thousands of power outages and downed trees, which have closed roads and resulted in damaged buildings.

The tally of customers without power across the PECO territory has now spiked to more than 33,000. In Bucks County, more than 11,700 people are without power. In Montgomery County, outages are up to more than 7,800. More than 6,600 are without power in Delaware County, and more than 6,600 in Chester County. (These figures are as of 11:45 a.m.)

The outages have been steadily rising since daybreak.

Multiple schools were closed due to power outages, including Penncrest High School in Media and Pearl S. Buck Elementary School in Levittown. The power is out at Harriton High School in Bryn Mawr but the school remained open.

PECO said it is aware of the outages, and has activated its Storm Center so crews are ready to respond to any outages and issues. Residents without power can check their status by clicking here. If you have just experienced an outage, report it by clicking here.

Downed limbs and trees are also causing numerous road closures throughout the region, and resulting in property damage. A tree reportedly crashed into a Delaware County home, splitting it in two. According to Action News, two people and two dogs made it out of the Upper Providence Township home unharmed.

Also in Delaware County, police are on the scene after a large tree fell on a house in Springfield.

In Phoenxville, the stucco wall of a building partially collapsed amidst heavy winds at a downtown winery overnight, leading to a closure of Gay Street, authorities said.

In King of Prussia, the powerful winds ripped part of a roof off of a building.

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

Gusts of up to 60 mph are possible Monday, the NWS said.

"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.