Storm Causes Downed Trees, Power Outages, Road Closures in Centre Region

UPDATE 7:45 p.m., May 26: As of 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, power has been restored to all but 153 West Penn Power customers in Centre County. Estimated times of restoration are between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 3 p.m. Thursday. Most roadways that were impacted by fallen trees have reopened.

Original story:

A fast-moving thunderstorm brought heavy wind gusts that took down trees and caused power outages and road closures around the State College area on Wednesday afternoon.

As of 3:30 p.m., West Penn Power reported that 2,421 customers in Centre County were without power. Most of those were in State College, with than 1,459 outages, College Township (508), Harris Township (196) and Ferguson Township (158). Restoration times were between 5:30 and 8 p.m.

The storm, which moved through the area shortly after 2 p.m., brought down trees, resulting in road closures and traffic signal outages. Wind gusts as high as 48 miles per hour were recorded at Beaver Stadium.

State College Borough public works and police were working to clear roads as quickly as possible, starting with major thoroughfares.

East College Avenue between Pugh and Garner streets in State College was closed because of a tree across the road on the 300 block. The road reopened to traffic by about 4 p.m.

Hiester Street was closed between East College Avenue and Calder Way after a tree fell across the road near The Saloon and The Deli. State College police expected Hiester to be closed for an extended period of time.

East Branch Road between Country Club Lane and Hunter Avenue was closed, as was a portion of Westerly Parkway on the east side of the South Atherton Street intersection.

Tadpole Road in Ferguson Township was closed at Beaver Branch Road after a large tree fell into power lines.

Several trees were uprooted or damaged on the Penn State campus.

This story will be updated.