FINAL UPDATE: About 200 Duquesne Light Customers Still Without Power After Storms

FINAL UPDATE: Duquesne Light reports that as of 4 p.m. Friday, less than 200 customers are without power as a result of Thursday's severe storms. 

"These customers will be restored throughout the afternoon," said company spokesman Joey Vallarian.

NINTH UPDATE: Duquesne Light reports about 400 customers still out of power as of noon Friday.

EIGHTH UPDATE: The number of Duquesne Light customers without power is down to 500 Friday morning as repair work continues, according to company spokesman Joey Vallarian.

"Duquesne Light expects all customers to be restored by early afternoon on Friday," he said.

Thursday's storms knocked out power throughout the area.

SEVENTH UPDATE: As of 11 p.m. Thursday, 1,250 Duquesne Light customers remain out of service as a result of severe afternoon thunderstorms, according to company spokesman Joey Vallarian.

"Crews will continue to work around the clock, making repairs and bringing customers back on line.  Duquesne Light expects all customers to be restored by early afternoon on Friday," he said in an announcement.

SIXTH UPDATE: The number of Duquesne Light customers who remain out of service Thursday is 2,550, down from 5,000 earlier in the day when strong storms pushed through the region..

FIFTH UPDATE: A severe thunderstorm warning is back in effect until 7:15 p.m.

At 6:05 p.m. thunder was crashing in Richland Township and rain returned.

The warning is for Allegheny, southern Beaver and northern Washington County, in addition to areas of Ohio and West Virginia.

At 6 p.m., the National Weather Service’s Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-size hail and winds of 70+ mph, according to the service’s website.

FOURTH UPDATE: Approximately 5,100 Duquesne Light customers are experiencing power outages Thursday afternoon after very strong storms pushed through the region, according to spokesman Joey Vallarian.

"As customers are being brought back online by Duquesne Light's automated switching system, and crews are out in the field assessing damage to the system and making repairs, a restoration time is undetermined at this point," Vallarian said in an announcement.

Residents are also asked to report outages by calling Duquesne Light at 1-888-393-7000 or by visiting www.duquesnelight.com


THIRD UPDATE: The National Weather Service downgraded its severe thunderstorm warning to a watch late this afternoon. The watch is in effect through 10 p.m. Thursday.

A flash flood watch also is in effect through 10 p.m.

SECOND UPDATE: The National Weather Service upgraded its severe thunderstorm watch to a warning, which has been extended to 5 p.m. Thursday.

It is for northern Allegheny County, extreme southwestern Armstrong County, Beaver County, southern Butler County and southwestern Lawrence County as well as parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

"In addition to large hail and damaging wind ... continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm," the National Weather Service website states. "Move indoors immediately! Lightning is a killer. If you can hear thunder... you are close enough to be struck by lightning."

A flash flood watch also has been issued until 10 p.m.

Earlier story:

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect today (Thursday) until 10 p.m., the National Weather Service announced.

The watch area covers about 50 counties including Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland.

A remains in effect until 8 p.m.

"Hot and humid air can result in afternoon temperatures climbing into the 90s and heat indices possibly surpassing 100," according to the National Weather Service website.

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