Storms that rolled through the Pittsburgh region late Saturday afternoon into the early evening have left thousand without electricity and threatened Fourth of July celebrations.
As of about 7 p.m., Duquesne Light was reporting about 6,700 of its customers were without power. About 5,200 were in Allegheny County and just under 1,500 were in Beaver County.
West Penn Power was reporting about 7,500 customers without service. The majority were in Westmoreland County, almost 2,500; Butler County, close to 1,500; about Washington County, 1,450; and Indiana County, a little more than 1,400.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 9 p.m. that included Armstrong, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The city of Pittsburgh temporarily suspended Independence Day programs just before 5 p.m. in response to lightning being detected within eight miles of the event location. Guests were advised to seek shelter, move indoors if possible and avoid open areas.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra canceled a free performance scheduled at Arts Landing.
In Shaler, a dedication ceremony for the township’s new bathhouse at Crawford Pool in Kiwanis Park was postponed from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Township police also reported that Wetzel Road was closed between Little Pine Creek and Wible Run roads because of downed trees and wires.
The Reserve Volunteer Fire Department reported its crews were out in the township and southern Shaler responding to extensive storm damage. They advised people to stay away from downed wires and to not drive through flooded roadways.
An extreme heat warning remained in effect until 8 p.m.