Western Pennsylvania Schools Close Due to Ongoing Storm Damage

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Multiple school districts in western Pennsylvania are closed on Friday for a third consecutive day as crews work to restore power and clear debris from severe storms that affected the region earlier this week.

With tens of thousands of customers still without power, Duquesne Light reported that power had been restored to about 60% of those affected by the storms. However, some residents may experience outages until May 6.

The storm’s impact has been significant, leading to widespread power outages and multiple school closures. According to outage maps, up to 566,000 customers experienced power disruptions during the storms. School officials have advised parents to check for updates regarding closures and delays.

In a statement, Allegheny County officials urged residents to stay home as dangerous conditions persist due to fallen trees and live wires. Emergency services are coordinating with utility companies to expedite power restoration.

As the cleanup continues, meteorologists predict additional rain and possible thunderstorms over the weekend. Saturday may see scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, with early forecasts indicating potential thunderstorms continuing into Monday.

This week, storms have resulted in two fatalities in Pennsylvania. A 59-year-old man died from electrocution due to downed power lines, while another life was lost in a separate incident.

The National Weather Service noted that the region experienced wind gusts exceeding 80 mph, which caused widespread property damage.

As recovery efforts progress, Duquesne Light and West Penn Power continue to monitor and address outages as they arise, working diligently to restore services. Residents are encouraged to report outages and check for updates on power restoration statuses.