Duquesne Light: Storm Aftermath—Over 260,000 Without Power in Pittsburgh Region Following High-Wind Event
PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh region is reeling today after a powerful low-pressure system swept across the Great Lakes, delivering fierce, damaging winds that knocked out power for more than 260,000 customers and turned roadways into hazardous obstacle courses.
The severe weather event, which peaked on Friday, March 13, 2026, saw wind gusts ranging from 43 mph to as high as 60 mph across the region. The National Weather Service (NWS) Pittsburgh office confirmed that the intensity was widespread, impacting Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Butler, Armstrong, and Beaver counties.
A Region in the Dark
As of Friday night, the scale of the damage was massive. West Penn Power and Duquesne Light reported combined outages affecting over 260,000 customers. Utility crews are currently engaged in what officials have called an “all-hands effort” to restore power, though progress has been hampered by the severity of the infrastructure damage.
Duquesne Light reported approximately 151,000 outages in Allegheny County alone, with another 16,000 in Beaver County. West Penn Power’s territory saw tens of thousands of additional outages spanning multiple counties.
“This is an all-hands effort — with support from contractor crews — and we will stagger crews to ensure 24/7 response to all outages that occur,” said West Penn Power spokeswoman Lauren Siburkis. However, she noted that restoration efforts face significant safety delays: West Penn Power crews are restricted from operating bucket trucks for remediation if wind speeds exceed 40 mph.
Roadway Havoc and Emergency Response
The high winds—clocked at 59 mph at Pittsburgh International Airport and 60 mph near Latrobe—brought down countless trees and power lines, forcing the closure of a “slew of roads” across the region.
PennDOT and local emergency services spent much of the night responding to reports of trees tangled in live wires. Notable closures included:
- Fawn: Bull Creek Road between Howes Run and Lardintown roads.
- Buffalo Township: Route 356 between Coal Hollow and Sarver roads.
- Collier Township: Noblestown Road between Walker and Columbia avenues.
- Beaver County: Numerous closures, including parts of Green Garden Road, Route 151 (Bocktown Road), and Park Road, were reported due to debris.
In addition to road closures, emergency dispatchers were flooded with calls regarding downed wires, and several brush fires were sparked by live lines coming into contact with dry vegetation.
Safety Advisory: What You Need to Know
Allegheny County Emergency Services issued a clear directive: Do not call 911 to report power outages. 911 lines must remain open for life-threatening emergencies.
How to Report an Outage
- Duquesne Light: Visit their outage reporting site or call 1-888-393-7000.
- West Penn Power (FirstEnergy): Use the outage map or call 1-888-544-4877.
Downed Power Line Safety
If you encounter a downed power line:
- Assume it is energized and deadly. It may not spark or make noise to be dangerous.
- Stay at least 30 to 100 feet away. Do not touch the line or anything it is touching, including trees, fences, or vehicles.
- Call 911 immediately to report the location of the hazard.
- Shuffle away: If you are near a downed line, do not lift your feet. Shuffle away, keeping both feet in contact with the ground at all times to minimize shock risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are restoration times being delayed?
A: High winds create hazardous conditions for utility workers. Companies like West Penn Power have safety protocols that prevent crews from operating elevated bucket trucks if wind speeds are above 40 mph, which was the case during the height of the storm.
Q: What should I do with food in my refrigerator during a long outage?
A: Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. If food has been warmer than 40°F for more than two hours, throw it out.
Q: Can I use a generator to power my home?
A: Only if you follow strict safety guidelines. Never run a generator inside a home, garage, or near windows/doors (must be at least 20 feet away). Never connect a portable generator directly to your home’s electrical system unless you have a properly installed transfer switch, as it can backfeed electricity and kill utility workers.
Looking Ahead
While the peak of the wind event has passed, gusts of 20–25 mph are expected through Saturday. Light snow showers are forecast for Sunday, but no measurable accumulation is expected. Temperatures are forecasted to climb into the mid-60s on Sunday afternoon before a cold front returns the region to the 30s on Monday.
For real-time updates, monitor local news and follow the official outage maps for Duquesne Light and West Penn Power.
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