READING, Pa. – A tree, wires down and a damaged car — that’s what Maria Algarín found outside her home on West Douglass Street in Reading Monday afternoon.
“I parked the car there and went upstairs. Then when I looked back, my uncle was standing here and told me to look, and that’s when I saw it. The tree was already across the car,” Algarín said.
The branches hit her partner’s car and pulled down phone and internet lines.
“It fell right there and dented the fender a little,” she said. “Thank God it didn’t hit the windshield.”
Across Berks County, emergency crews have been preparing for severe weather all day.
“Seems to be an active day today, so we’re spreading that information on our social media platforms as well,” said Colin Hackman, chief of Spring Township Fire and Rescue.
Windy conditions caused problems in Cumru Township, where a tree fell across Ledge Rock Road near Holly Lane. Another tree was leaning onto wires along New Holland Road.
The threat of severe weather also led some schools to take precautions, including the Upper Perkiomen School District.
“I’m glad they’re letting the kids out early. I definitely feel safer with them being at home,” one parent said.
Fire officials say strong winds can create dangerous situations.
“Be cautious,” Hackman said. “Even if there’s not tornadoes, high winds are projected potentially, so you have the risk of falling trees and power lines down.”
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