Updated 12:04 a.m. May 2.
Power outages and road closures persisted on Thursday in Centre County two days after a severe storm caused widespread damage, but progress is being made.
About 6,000 West Penn Power customers in the county were without electricity as of 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, down from more than 36,000 homes and businesses in the immediate wake of the storm on Tuesday night.
First Energy, West Penn’s parent company is now offering an estimated global restoration time for Centre County— the point when most power will have been restored — of 11 p.m. on Sunday.
But according to a release from the Centre County Board of Commissioners, First Energy “predicts that the majority of the circuits could be energized by the end of Thursday evening,” and location-specific estimates for restoration may be available as early as Thursday evening.
For most locations in Centre County still experiencing outages, the First Energy outages map showed estimated restoration times of 5 p.m. Friday or 11 p.m. Saturday, as of 11:45 p.m. Thursday.
Restoration efforts could, however, be hampered by more severe weather over the next few days, as high winds or lightning may delay work or cause additional outages. The region experienced more storms on Thursday night. AccuWeather forecasts a 35% chance for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday and periods of rain and a thunderstorm on Sunday.
First Energy has “deployed hundreds of in- and out-of-state line workers to expedite repairs and power restoration,” according to the commissioners office.
While many local businesses and organizations that were affected have since reopened, some are still experiencing disruptions. Among them, Penn State Health’s Benner Pike office will be closed on Friday “due to complications from the storm and power outages,” according to a spokesperson.
Road Closures
Among state routes, closures on Fox Hill Road in Patton Township, Axemann Road in Spring Township and Old Fort Road in Spring Mills have been lifted. West College Avenue between Bristol Avenue and Whitehall Road in Ferguson Township remained closed as of Thursday evening.
In State College Borough, the following closures remained in effect:
• 100 block of South Allen Street (due to traffic signal outages at Beaver and College avenues)
• Easterly Parkway between South Pugh Street and Old Boalsburg Road
• 1000 block of South Pugh Street
• 400 block of Orlando Avenue
• 600 block of Berry Alley
In College Township, access to Oak Ridge Drive and Centre Hills Village from Squirrel Drive is closed. It is expected to reopen Friday morning.
In Ferguson Township, Marengo Road and the 1200 block of West Gatesburg Road remained closed as of Thursday afternoon.
Resources
• Residents without power can pick up free water (two 1-gallon bottles or one 24-pack) and ice (two 7-9-pound bags of ice or 1 20-25-pound bag) at the Giant supermarket locations at 255 Northland Center, State College; 2121 S. Atherton St, State College; or 2699 Benner Pike, Bellefonte. Those picking up free water or ice should say at checkout that they are First Energy customers without power.
• Residents on wells that need water can use the water filling station at the Alpha Fire Station in Patton Township, 2598 Green Tech Drive. The station is donated by State College Borough Water Authority and is free for residents to use.
• Those without power can use the College Township meeting room at 1481 E. College Ave. or the Patton Township meeting room at 100 Patton Plaza to charge devices. The College Township meeting room is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be accessed through the main doors and up the stairs to the left. The Patton Township room is accessed through the lower entrance marked meeting room and is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Maine Bay & Berry Co. has offered refrigeration space for anyone without power who needs to store medicine or other critical items that must stay cold. Message Maine Bay & Berry on Facebook or Instagram, or call 814-954-1560 to make arrangements
• Snow Shoe EMS, 492 W. Sycamore Rd., is open for residents to charge devices and have a cup of coffee or tea.
• Miles Township Fire Company, 102 Broad Street, Rebersburg, is open to charges devices.
• Centre Hall Volunteer Fire Company, 134 Witmer Avenue, is open from 2 to 9 p.m. for showers, water, device charging and ice to keep food cold (bring a cooler). Contact the fire company via Facebook message if access is needed outside those hours.
• For Penn State students living off campus, the university provided multiple resources on campus, where power and WiFi are functioning.
