Where to find power, assistance amid storm outages
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Uprooted trees crushed cars and houses in Regent Square on Tuesday. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios
Tens of thousands of Southwestern Pennsylvanians are still without power more than 48 hours after Tuesday's deadly storm.
Why it matters: More than 100,000 Duquesne Light Co. customers remained without power Thursday night — and some may stay in the dark for another week.
Catch up quick: At the height of Tuesday's powerful storm, more than 325,000 Duquesne Light customers lost power, the company said Friday — over half of its service area in Allegheny and Beaver counties.
- The storm killed three people, ripped down power lines and damaged buildings and homes across the region.
- Fallen trees and other hazards are blocking power lines and slowing repairs, the company said.
- Allegheny County and Pittsburgh declared disaster emergencies Wednesday.
- Public safety officials are warning residents to stay home and avoid downed power lines and fallen trees.
Zoom in: Duquesne Light on Wednesday said outages could last five to seven days, prompting a rush for charging spots, Wi-Fi access, generators and other blackout supplies.
- Cafes and restaurants with power packed in crowds seeking internet, hot meals and outlets after the storm.
Businesses, community centers and other groups are staying open later and offering spaces to charge devices, work remotely and access other resources.
- Pittsburgh has extended hours at select Healthy Active Living and recreation centers.
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Library branches offer internet access.
- Giant Eagle will offer a 15% discount on all purchases made in Pittsburgh-area stores on May 4 to help people restock their fridges.
- The University of Pittsburgh's Community Engagement Center in Homewood is open for remote work.
- The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division urges those in need to contact their local center or call the national helpline at 800-725-2769.
- Other spots open for device charging include the Happenstance Cafe in Lawrenceville, Salem's Market and Grill in the Strip District, Emerald City in Downtown, the Hill Community Development Corp., the Wilkinsburg Borough Building, Fresh Nutrition in Penn Hills, the Penn Township Ambulance Association, and the Rivers Edge Volunteer Fire Department in Braddock.