PEMA Provides Storm Update

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is monitoring the ongoing storm and coordinating responses between local responders and state agencies. 

"We are seeing strong winds and serious precipitation across many parts of the commonwealth," PEMA Director Richard Flinn said. "We urge residents to stay in their homes and off the roads unless absolutely necessary. These rains can cause flooding and extreme winds can down power lines and trees causing increased danger for residents and motorists."

PEMA has been coordinating with local responders and agencies and other state agencies throughout the day. Starting at 4 p.m. today, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's (PEMA) State Emergency Operations Center has been at an elevated 'Enhanced Watch' status to monitor storm systems moving across the commonwealth and assist county emergency responders.

A severe storm system continues to move through the state. Rain will transition to snow across the area overnight. Snowfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected in western Pennsylvania with a few locations slightly higher and a few counties in the southeast slightly lower.

Lake effect snow will add to the storm totals in parts of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Scattered showers and thunderstorms could produce damaging winds, localized flash flooding and isolated tornadoes in parts of the Commonwealth.

As of 10 p.m., the SEOC estimated approximately 60,000 customers in Pennsylvania without power. Citizens without power should contact their provider using the outage reporting hotlines available from the PUC.

The SEOC has received reports of multiple buildings damaged or destroyed, particularly in Lancaster County and is working with local first responders to confirm those reports. The PA State Police are doing door-to-door welfare checks to ensure safety and provide whatever assistance is needed, as well as assisting with the rescue of motorists stranded in flooded roadways. 

PennDOT urges travelers to postpone any unnecessary travel until after the storm ends. If travel is a must, either call 511 or visit www.511pa.com before leaving for information on interstate road conditions, weather reports and incidents.

To learn more about how to manage a power outage at your home, visit www.ready.gov/power-outage.

MEDIA CONTACT:   Ruth Miller, [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us/