Widespread power outages are being reported around the Lehigh Valley on Wednesday evening as a cold front moving through the region brings storms and high winds.
As of 10 p.m., PPL was reporting more than 8,700 customers without power in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Nearly 6,500 of those outages were in Lehigh County, with 3,800 of those in Whitehall Township alone. More than 1,700 outages were reported in Washington Township, according to the utility’s outage map.
PPL reported a smaller number of outages, around 1,100, in Northampton County. Most of those outages were reported in Hanover Township. Met-Ed reported around 1,000 outages in Northampton County, with the highest number in Upper Mount Bethel Township.
Numerous downed trees and wires were reported across the Lehigh Valley, leading to road closures.
In addition to producing high winds, the cold front has also brought some severe thunderstorms to the region. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southern Lehigh and Northampton counties until 10:45 p.m.
A line of severe storms was moving southeast across the warned area at 55 mph. The storms were capable of producing 60 mph wind gusts, with damage to roofs, siding, trees and power lines possible, the weather service warned.
The entire region is under a wind advisory until 7 a.m. Thursday. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 50 mph, according to the weather service.
Just before 10 p.m., a 41 mph wind gust was reported at Lehigh Valley International Airport.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Â