ALBURTIS, Pa. — A severe storm knocked down numerous trees and power lines Friday night, leaving thousands of residents across the region without power.
A Northampton County dispatcher confirmed that strong, gusty winds uprooted trees and snapped large branches, bringing down power lines throughout the county. Some downed lines sparked small fires, including one that damaged a garage along Main Street in Northampton.
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YOUR PHOTOS: Fallen trees, downed wires, rainbows, and lightning as storms slam area
Lehigh County is facing similar damage. Violent winds toppled trees and damaged a home near Franklin and Church streets in Alburtis.
One neighbor told us a massive part of a Douglas fir snapped and completely wiped out his wife’s car. They told 69 News reporter Jessica Heisey they are now staying with their daughter who lives nearby as they are without power.
A different neighbor returned home to find the roads blocked and the neighborhood completely in the dark.
He says the sheer force of the wind caught everyone off guard and one tree even hit his next door neighbor’s home.
“It looks like there’s some damage to the neighbor’s house, but I don’t think there’s anyone hurt from what I hear. And we’re thankful for that, of course. So we’ll see how it goes. And hopefully we get the power back soon,” said David, who lives in the neighborhood. “This tree did not hit electric. I think there’s one a little down the road that took something out. So. So, yeah, just maybe a few houses up. So, yeah. So again, hopefully everyone is okay.”
Alburtis is now under a state of emergency following the intense wind storm, according to a Facebook post from the borough.
Rich Rolen || WFMZ-TV
Storm-related power outages continue to climb across the area:
Monroe County: 9,125
Lehigh County: 4,651
Northampton County: 5,473
Berks County: 1,688
Schuylkill County: 2,741
Montgomery County: 12,292
Bucks County: 6,217
Carbon County: 3,557