More storms expected in Western Pennsylvania

Another round of storms is expected to hit Western Pennsylvania on Thursday, even as communities are still reeling from severe weather that knocked down trees, ripped roofs from buildings and left thousands without power on Tuesday.

A threat of thunderstorms — some severe — will return Thursday afternoon and evening, according to the local National Weather Service office. Damaging winds and hail will be the main threats, but an isolated tornado also is possible.

The forecast shows the storms will likely start between 2 and 5 p.m. and last until 7 to 9 p.m.

The weather service rated much of the area a slight risk, which means there is increased confidence in severe storms occurring and a few could be significant. That’s a step down from the enhanced risk the service assessed for much of the region ahead of Tuesday’s strong storms.

TribLive news partner WTAE said the scattered thunderstorms expected to hit the region Thursday could impact the evening commute, though the day will start off with partly sunny skies through lunchtime.

WTAE predicted more scattered showers on the horizon Friday and Saturday.

This comes as thousands are still without power.

Duquesne Light reported nearly 137,000 customers still in the dark as of 6:15 a.m. Thursday, mostly in Allegheny County. The utility company estimated it would take five to seven days to restore power for everyone and brought hundreds of additional workers to help make repairs.

An online tracker showed over 100,000 First Energy customers in still without power Thursday morning. That includes around 18,000 in Allegheny County, more than 16,000 in Westmoreland County and almost 14,000 in Washington County.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Wednesday declared disaster emergencies to slash red tape as officials scrambled to respond to widespread damage. Gov. Josh Shapiro pledged state support.

Tuesday’s storms — described by some officials as an “unprecedented event” — left three people dead as a 90-mile-long line of fast-moving thunderstorms brought winds that reached 70 miles per hour.

Some schools remained closed Thursday.