Wind, Rain Causing Power Outages, Travel Problems Across Philly Region

Thousands were left without power and traffic was significantly impacted as severe wind and rain swept across the Philadelphia region Tuesday morning.

After some drizzling on Monday, heavy rain hit the area overnight, bringing with it winds with gusts of up to 45 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. Wind came in steadily between 15 and 25 miles per hour, and a wind advisory was issued for the area through 11 a.m. Monday.

The wind can make driving very difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, NWS warned.

Officials added that garbage cans, outdoor furniture, and other lighter weight outdoor objects should be secured.

SEPTA, meanwhile, warned commuters that wet conditions could make things dangerous for commuters at stations.

"Please use caution during your travels today as SEPTA platforms, parking lots, walkways and vehicles may be wet and slippery," they wrote on Twitter.

PECO reported that around 3,600 customers had lost power as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. The large bulk of those outages are in Chester County (2,470), with a few hundred each in Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, and Delaware counties.

Accidents and traffic delays occurred around the region due to slick roads and wind bringing down trees and power lines.

In Radnor, power lines and a tree went down on South Ithan Avenue and Mill Road, leading to outages.

A very similar incident occurred in nearby Berwyn, where severe weather brought down wires and trees on Irish Avenue.

A tree came down and blocked the road on Walnut Avenue in North Wales at around 7 a.m. this morning. The road remained blocked at 9:30 a.m.

And as early as 5:15 this morning, in Lower Merion, branches from a tree blocked the roadway on Waverly Road and Lafayette Road. PECO crews were called to the scene to address the situation.

The wind has been compounded by steady rain and isolated thunderstorms. There's at least a 45 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms continuing through 1 p.m., according to NWS.

Most of the storm should move out of the area by late Tuesday afternoon and evening, although pockets of rain could linger.

AAA has released the following tips for driving in the rain and inclement weather:

• Check your wipers – Before leaving the house, make sure your windshield wipers are working properly.
• Slow down - Drivers are more likely to lose control of the vehicle when roads are wet.
• Increase following distance – This is even more important when driving near vans, recreational vehicles and cars pulling trailers that may be adversely affected by the wind.
• Break early - Breaking early, but not hard, will allow the time needed to slow the car.
• Never drive through standing water - Standing water can be deceiving and motorists should avoid it. No matter how shallow it may appear, water may be hiding downed power lines, may be deeper than it appears, or have significant force from flooding, etc.
• Drive with greater caution and alertness - Keep your eyes and mind on the road.
• Watch for hydroplaning - No car is immune from hydroplaning on wet surfaces, including four-wheel drive vehicles. Even if brakes work under normal conditions that doesn’t mean they will react the same on slippery roads where tires roll with less traction.
• Use your defroster - Keep the air inside your car dry and prevent windows from fogging by using your defroster along with your air conditioner.
• Take the nearest exit - If conditions worsen to the point where there is any doubt about your safety, take the nearest exit. Don’t just stop on the shoulder or under a bridge. If your visibility is compromised, other drivers may be struggling too.
• Six inches - As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your car and potentially stall your engine.
• Slowing down in the rain also minimizes car repairs. Many motorists try to move fast through drivable puddles, but it’s actually better for your car if you go slowly. Driving fast can force the water to splash up into your car’s undercarriage and cause damage. Your vehicle could suffer electrical problems and other issues caused by water damage - and many of the repairs involve SUV’s because people mistakenly think they are safe to drive through standing water.
• When driving on pothole-filled roads, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.
• Fumes and oil leaks that build up on dry pavement rise to the surface of the road when it rains, making the road far slicker than it may seem.

There have not yet been any reports of injuries due to the weather on Tuesday.

Image via Shutterstock