Severe Winds Batter Philadelphia, Causing Widespread Damage and Delays

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Cleanup efforts are in full swing following strong winds that swept across the Philadelphia region, downing trees and power lines, leading to outages and significant damage on April 16, 2025.

The storms prompted the suspension of SEPTA Regional Rail service on the Wawa Media Line Tuesday night after trees fell near the Moylan-Rose Valley Station, affecting numerous commuters. Local resident Helen Morell expressed her surprise at the storm’s severity. “I knew it was going to storm, they said it this morning. I didn’t know it was going to be like this,” she said.

In Bucks County, a large tree fell at the busy intersection of Huntingdon Pike and County Line Road in Upper Southampton, further complicating travel in the area. Morell detailed her harrowing commute from Philadelphia to Upper Darby, which took nearly an extra hour and a half. “I said, ‘OK, I’ll take the Wilmington Line and then have my husband pick me up in Glenolden, instead of coming into town, and then bring me here to get my car,’” she recounted.

Montgomery County also faced challenges as local Public Works crews in Lower Merion worked to remove a massive tree that had fallen across Warwick Road in Wynnewood, blocking traffic. Community members have been urged to use caution while driving in the affected areas.

In Plymouth Township, resident David Chmelko reported extensive damage to his home when winds uprooted a massive tree from his backyard, which devastated his covered deck. “I was sitting in my office just working, the wind was really picking up, I heard a crack, and then all of a sudden it sounded like an earthquake,” Chmelko said. “It’s literally stretching across the entire width of my house. It’s pretty crazy. Never seen anything like it,” he added.

Code enforcement officials were dispatched to assess the damage at Chmelko’s property, and PECO is expected to respond once the tree is cleared. As cleanup continues, residents are facing delays in travel and fluctuating power outages across the region.