Thunderstorm Wind — Montgomery, Pennsylvania

2008-06-10 · near Collegeville, Montgomery, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Damage from a squall line of severe thunderstorms in the northwest Philadelphia suburbs peaked in Montgomery County. A swath of wind damage (downed trees) occurred from around Collegeville southeast into Abington Township and Hatboro. PECO Energy reported about 78,500 homes and businesses lost power, 16,000 were still without power on the evening of the 11th. Pennsylvania Power and Light reported about 2,000 of its customers also lost power in the county. Power was not fully restored until the 12th.

Abington, Collegeville, Royersford, Trappe and Upper Providence were among the municipalities that suffered the most damage. About 40 percent of Lansdale Borough lost power. Downed trees damaged vehicles in Whitpain and Montgomery Townships. Other municipalities that reported downed trees and some road closures included Hatboro, Pottstown, Jenkintown, Lower Gwynedd, Lower Providence and Lower Salford. The Salford Hills Elementary School dismissed children early because of lost power.

A 61-year-old man died in Upper Merion Township of carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator in his home. His wife survived.

Wider weather episode

An unseasonably hot and humid air mass led to severe thunderstorms occurring across Eastern Pennsylvania during the late afternoon and evening of the 10th. Wind damage was reported in nearly every county in Eastern Pennsylvania. About 185,000 homes and businesses lost power. Power was not fully restored until the night of the 12th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.2000, -75.4500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 116652. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.