High Winds Cause Multiple Local Power Outages

Multiple power outages were reported around the State College area late Monday afternoon and early evening as high winds blew through the Centre Region.

In Centre County, about 900 customers were without power as of 8 p.m. and about 600 of those were in the immediate State College area, according to a spokesman for West Penn Power.

The high winds were expected to continue well into the night, making it difficult to provide exact restoration times, he said. However, crews have been dispatched throughout the area to assess damage and make repairs to restore power. They are expected to work throughout the night with the majority of customers having power restored by 8 a.m. Tuesday.

West Penn’s power outage map showed about a dozen outages in the State College area at 8 p.m., including downtown, Holmes-Foster, the Highlands and Centre Hills neighborhoods.

Earlier today the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for much of Pennsylvania, including the State College area. It forecast winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts up to 55 miles per hour. The strongest winds were expected this evening.

“Scattered tree and power line damage can be expected,” the NWS advisory said. “Some minor property damage is possible in the highest gusts. Travel will be difficult for higher profile vehicles.”