YEADON, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — While heavy winds and rain from Tropical Storm Ophelia mostly affected coastal areas on Saturday, the storm also lead to a fiery explosion near a senior living complex in Delaware County.
PECO crews were called to West Providence Road in Yeadon to address a downed tree wrapped in electrical wires. Rufus Stokes, the borough's emergency management coordinator, says while they were there, a fire started on the ground in front of a house.
"They actually called in more resources in reference to the fire that was from the street," Stokes explained. "They started to have a lot of the odor of gas. Then they called in additional resources in PECO and found there was a gas leak."
They say the downed tree pulled electrical wires and hit a cracked gas line, causing the explosion.
Timothy Boyce, Delaware County's director of emergency services, says the leak led to evacuations of six homes and several buildings, including the Grace Court Apartments on Lansdowne Avenue, a senior living facility, before the explosion occurred.
"It's always a measured response, especially when you have people with access and functional needs. We don't take it lightly. Yeadon has a tremendous program here of emergency management. They have a plan, we executed it, and it's so far going well," Boyce said.
Because of the prompt evacuations, there were no reported injuries.
Still, the smell of gas lingered for several hours until crews were able to clamp the leak and secure the area.
People in four of the evacuated homes were allowed back in, but the two others need to be evaluated for damage. As for the those in the senior living facility, Boyce says they got back in around 10:00 p.m. Saturday, thanks to PECO running a temporary emergency power line.
Ophelia batters the coast
Meanwhile, Ophelia made its presence felt in Philadelphia and along the Jersey shore all day Saturday.
More than 170 flights were delayed at Philadelphia International Airport Saturday, while more than 4,000 homes and businesses lost power across the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas.
Coastal flooding was also an issue, with extreme high tides down the Shore. Dean Iovino, a forecaster at the National Weather service in Mount Holly New Jersey, says towns are experiencing extra water since high winds prevented waters from receding in the bay.
"The time of high tide lingers as the water filters through the back bay," Iovino explained. "So it's usually a 4-to-5-hour event for the tide to work even through the back bay along the coast. So for today, we have the addition of the water being piled up along the coast due to the steady onshore winds."
Andrew Kramer, Atlantic City's public information officer, had safety tips for people in flood conditions. "You don't want to be driving through the flood water if the streets are closed," he urged. "Make sure you follow the detours and you make sure you take the alternate routes."
The show must go on
By Sunday, the storm was downgraded to post-tropical low, but still carried a lot of nasty weather to the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas.
Despite the poor weather conditions, the city's Puerto Rican Day Parade marched on.
Many people, like Stephanie McGady, who came out for the parade, came prepared for whatever Mother Nature had in store.
"I got my poncho and my rain boots on, so I'm ready to go today," she said.
This is McGrady's second time coming out to the Puerto Rican Day Parade. She says there is no way the weather was going to stop her from enjoying her day.
"Seeing all the dancers and all the singers, they do a really great job in this parade — all of the costumes and cultural events."
The parade allows spectators and performers to line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the front of the Art Museum where they are treated to a number of different festivities that celebrate Puerto Rican heritage.
