Updated on March 6, 8 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Powerful storms slammed the Philadelphia region on Wednesday with plenty of heavy rain and strong winds. The severe weather affected planes, trains and cars, and knocked out power in some areas.
High wind gusts out by Philadelphia International Airport clocked in at over 50 miles per hour, while in New Jersey and most of Pennsylvania, peak speeds were in the 40s.
Earlier threats of thunderstorms prompted an FAA-issued ground stop for flights due for PHL. That was lifted in the early evening, but delays and cancellations gummed up the works for the rest of the day.
"It backs up the schedule into and out of the airport. Planes aren't always able to leave the gate when they're scheduled," said PHL public affairs manager Heather Redford.
On top of 34 cancellations from earlier Wednesday, the airport has dealt with more than 250 delays. Departure delays are averaging about a half hour.
The situation at the airport improved by Thursday morning. There were only four canceled flights and 13 delays as of 7 a.m.
Storm damage
The fierce winds took down trees and power lines, creating road closures throughout the Philadelphia region. Some closures lingered into Thursday morning, including Morris Road between Penllyn Blue Bell Pike and Lewis Lane in Blue Bell, Montgomery County.
There was also damage in South Jersey.
“Sitting in the dining room, going over emails and stuff, listening to the wind blowing and there’s this loud thud,” Fred Myers, of Logan Township, Gloucester County, told NBC10. That thud was the sound of a magnolia tree in his yard falling and the branches hitting his home, leaving minor damage.
“I am so grateful for the way it landed. When I looked out the window and saw how close it was to hitting the window, and it didn’t, or how close it came to taking the air conditioner out — it missed all that,” Myers said.
A large pine tree fell between holes three and four at the Pitman Golf Course in Gloucester County, according to a post on the course’s Facebook page.
Households across the region dealt with power outages as well.
"We've brought on enhanced staffing, adding additional field crews who are on standby to respond to any outages," said PECO spokesperson Tom Brubaker.
He said it's important to stay safe during these times. "They need to stay away from downed wires, damaged electric equipment, trees and branches, and call us immediately so they can report those conditions."
Customers can report outages on the app, on the website, or by calling 800-841-4141.
PECO said around 28,000 customers lost power due to the severe weather on Wednesday. That dropped to around 900 as of 10 a.m. Thursday.