Overview
- City leaders issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency after intense, short-lived storms struck the region on Saturday afternoon, shifting work from rescue to coordinated damage assessment and recovery.
- The National Weather Service found at least four distinct microbursts that moved from Lower Merion into West and South Philadelphia and produced straight-line wind gusts estimated at 60 to 70 mph.
- Storms downed trees and power lines, flooded streets, damaged buildings including a partial collapse in West Philadelphia, and left slightly fewer than 7,500 PECO customers without power Sunday afternoon.
- The Philadelphia Housing Authority evacuated residents from one building after roof and water damage affected 11 units and placed those tenants in temporary shelter before relocation.
- Officials urged residents to report damage via 311 or the city’s online damage reporter, warned that microbursts form quickly and offer little lead time for warnings, and said crews will work around the clock to clear hazards and restore services.