A ferocious serial derecho ravaged Pittsburgh, claiming lives and leaving a trail of destruction that officials call unprecedented.
According to Fox Weather, powerful thunderstorms tore through Pennsylvania on Tuesday, killing at least three people and plunging hundreds of thousands into darkness as power lines and trees fell like matchsticks.
The storm’s fury began early Tuesday, with hurricane-force winds recorded across the state, including a 79-mph gust in Latrobe and a 71-mph gust at Pittsburgh International Airport.
In Pittsburgh, a man was electrocuted by live wires on St. Martin Street and pronounced dead at the scene.
Another death was reported in Allegheny County, though officials have not yet released further details.
In State College, a 22-year-old man died after being electrocuted while attempting to extinguish a mulch fire sparked by downed wires.
Amid the chaos, a multi-alarm fire erupted in a Pittsburgh building, trapping two firefighters who were later rescued.
One firefighter was treated at the scene, while another was hospitalized and remains in stable condition.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey praised the bravery of first responders, urging residents to remain patient as the city recovers.
Duquesne Light Company reported over 22,000 hazard incidents, including fallen trees and wires, calling the event unparalleled in its history.
Full power restoration could take up to a week, as crews work to clear debris and repair infrastructure.
Gainey called for unity, emphasizing Pittsburgh’s resilience in the face of such devastation.
Earlier Tuesday, severe weather struck Missouri, with 91-mph wind gusts in Springfield and widespread damage to trees and power lines in Freistatt, Monett, and Aurora.
In Purdy, Missouri, Camp Barnabas, a camp for people with chronic illnesses, suffered severe damage to buildings and equipment, threatening its upcoming summer session.
Farther south in Oklahoma, heavy rainfall caused flooding that forced the closure of northbound Interstate 35 at Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City.
