High winds cause power outages in Philly area

Trees and branches toppled by high winds knocked down power lines throughout the Philadelphia area Tuesday, cutting off electricity to thousand of customers.

Outage counts at one point included about 6,000 PECO customers in Southeastern Pennsylvania and about 10,000 Atlantic City Electric and PSE&G customers in South Jersey before the winds subsided around lunchtime.

All schools in Lumberton, Burlington County, were closed because some buildings had no electricity and in Delaware County's William Penn School District, the Penn Wood High School Green Avenue Campus in Landsdowne also did not open because it had no power.

The National Weather Service posted numerous reports of downed trees and wires on both sides of the river. PATCO reported delays due to the falling timber.

Winds took down a tree during the peak morning commute on Kelly Drive near Sedgely Drive. A 47 mph gust was measured at Philadelphia International Airport at 5:45 a.m.; a gust of 60 mph was reported at Dover Air Force Base, and 52 mph near Jobstown, Burlington County.

Rain in the meantime was being blamed for a number of motor vehicle crashes around the region. Injuries, but no fatalities, have been reported.