Matt EnrightYork Dispatch
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More than 16,000 Met-Ed customers remained without power late Tuesday afternoon, a day after a band of severe storms felled trees and downed power lines across a swath of York County.
The most severe impacts were felt in southern York County, where at one point Monday night 24,000 customers were plunged into darkness and roads across the region were closed due to the dangerous conditions.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Met-Ed said, "Expect this to be a multi-day restoration effort for some customers, especially in the hardest-hit areas in southern York County."
Ted Czech, York County Office of Emergency Management's spokesperson, said Tuesday that the county had received reports from the public about widespread and severe damage as a result of the storms.
"Our office, along with the National Weather Service and other agencies, will be taking a look at the damage today to better assess the situation," he said.
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In addition, the Office of Emergency Management is asking residents to fill out a survey at https://bit.ly/442b7fZ on potential damage to see if the county qualifies for financial assistance from the state or Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Damage can include structure damage, foundation collapse, water in basem*nts and living areas, private lane and bridge washouts, loss of personal belongings and water-damaged appliances and utilities. Those without internet access can call 717-840-2990 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to report damages.
Damage: According to Chief Todd Gibney of the Eureka Volunteer Fire Department in Stewartstown, the department responded to roughly 20 calls for service between 5 p.m. and midnight Monday.
"Thankfully, to our knowledge, no one was seriously injured. A full damage assessment has not been conducted but I can confirm that upwards of 100 structures have suffered damage, including roofs blown off and trees into homes," Gibney wrote on the department's Facebook page. "The area is without power. I cannot provide an estimate on when the electricity will be restored. My best advice is to assume it will be out for 'days not hours.'"
Gibney also had tips for residents still dealing with power outages and storm damage:
- If running a generator, keep it away from your house and ensure exhaust is vented properly to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
- Flashlights are preferable to candles. If burning a candle, make sure it is not near any combustible materials and do not leave it burning overnight.
- Road crews are out clearing trees, poles and wires that are down blocking roadways. Unless you have somewhere to be, stay off the roads.
- Treat any downed power line as live. Do not attempt to cut up any downed trees that contain power lines, and do not drive over power lines.
Firefighters, police and EMS also dealt with a structure fire that started around 6:15 p.m. Monday night in the 100 block of Burberry Lane, East Manchester Township. According to a Facebook post by Union Fire Co., the fire is believed to have been started by a lightning strike.
A firefighter fell through a hole burned in the first floor and called for help, but the firefighter was not injured, according to the department.
Conditions cleared Tuesday, helping utility crews make repairs, but additional storms may be possible on Thursday.
Eastern U.S.: Monday's storms were part of a storm system that moved through the eastern U.S., killing two people and leaving more than a million homes and businesses without power. The National Weather Service said more than 29.5 million people were under a tornado watch Monday.
“This does look to be one of the most impactful severe weather events across the mid-Atlantic that we have had in some time,” National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Strong said in a Facebook live briefing.
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The weather also postponed a Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia.
Forecast: Here's a look at the National Weather Service forecast for the rest of the week:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 7 to 10 mph.
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Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 78. South wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
— Reach Matt Enright via email at menright@yorkdispatch.com or via Twitter at @Matthew_Enright.
