Christmas Eve storm causes flooding, downed trees, power outages across area
WHITEMARSH TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Strong wind gusts from Thursday night's storm left thousands of homeowners in the dark on Christmas Day.
The Christmas Eve storm caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.
The heavy rains resulted in some road closures in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County.
Flooding was also a threat to drivers in Edgemoor. Several cars became trapped and abandoned along the 4400 block of Governor Printz Boulevard, where the road had flooded.
The Action Cam saw downed trees in Northeast Philadelphia, which officials worry could lead to downed wires and power outages.
Residents in Edgmont Township, Delaware County woke up to a mess on Providence Road near West Chester Pike.
A large tree came crashing down and then a car crashed into it.
In the Penn Wynne section of Wynnewood, the Kent family says their power went out at 11 p.m. on Thursday, and it never turned back on.
"We opened gifts in the dark by candlelight, so we're making the best of it," said homeowner Aubrey Kent.
Early Christmas morning, PECO had more than 58,000 customers left in the dark. By 11 a.m., there were 33,796.
In Penn Wynne, 140 households were without power or a generator.
Some homeowners had to use a little bit of creativity to keep up the holiday traditions.
"We had everything we normally have. Just toasted the bagels on the gas grill and put the champagne out on the deck, so it stayed cold, and that's what we did," said Janae Alberts of Wynnewood.
Even though 2020 has thrown countless curveballs, neighbors are standing by one another and offering a helping hand.
"We haven't cooked anything, so we've been just picking on snacks and things, and then we'll run across the street to the neighbors to heat up dinner," said Courtenay Kent of Wynnewood.
Resident Tom Comberci says offering some kindness was the least he could do for neighbors without power on Christmas Day.
"We're heating stuff up, making people coffee, and doing what we can to help," said Comberci.
PECO says residents could expect power to be restored by 11 p.m. on Sunday at the latest.
