High Winds Wreak Havoc Across Region

JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – First responders and 911 dispatchers were busy late Sunday and early Monday as severe winds wreaked havoc across the region.

(Photo above: Rimersburg man’s home damaged by severe winds.)

According to Jefferson County 911, there were power outages reported in Punxsutawney and Brockway boroughs as a result of fallen trees bringing electric lines down.

In Brockway, an electric pole fire caused the power outage.

The county 911 also handled a traffic accident on Interstate 80 near the Strattanville exit because of the proximity of first responders.

Severe Winds Sweep Through Clarion County

A Clarion County man and his twin grandchildren were forced out of his home Sunday night as high winds rocked his residence in Rimersburg.

Edward Hill, of Rimersburg, was watching his 16-month-old grandchildren when he became alarmed at how the walls of his mobile home were rocking after winds, gusting at more than 40 miles per hour, swept through the region.

“It was horrible watching those walls move the way they did,” Hill said.

Hill quickly decided to leave and go to his daughter’s home and he was glad he did.

“I got a call from a neighbor this morning and they said they roof had been blown off,” Hill said. “The front porch had also been blown off.

“I was just glad we got out before any of that happened,” Hill said.

Hill rents the mobile home from a person living outside of Pennsylvania. He said he spoke with the person through Facebook and also with a cousin of the landlord.

“The landlord said he’d probably just throw a tarp over it and put a roof on it later. The cousin wasn’t too much help,” Hill said. “I think it (the trailer) needs taken down, though.”

Hill, who had returned to his home Monday morning to gather clothes, food and other possessions, said he would stay with his daughter.