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Potential for severe thunderstorms in Pittsburgh area Friday; storm recovery resources
May 1, 2025 at 1:21 PM EDT
The National Weather Service has issued another hazardous weather outlook for Friday afternoon through late evening, citing the potential for damaging wind, large hail and heavy downpours.
https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh/status/1918220507385647285
As of Friday at 7 a.m., power remains out for around 95,000 customers across Southwestern Pennsylvania after Tuesday’s storm.
Utility companies are working to restore power, which was knocked out by downed trees and power lines from the strong winds.
Duquesne Light says they have restored power to “more than 60% of impacted customers,” but estimated Wednesday that it could take up to 5 to 7 days to restore energy across the region.
You can report outages and monitor outage maps at your utility:
Branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Library Association offer Internet service.
Check locations to make sure they’re open; the Knoxville and Woods Run branches of the Carnegie Library system are closed today due to power outages.
Food safety & restocking the fridge
With thousands of Pittsburgh homes still without power as of late Thursday, public health officials have raised concerns about spoiled food.
Keeping the fridge and freezer doors closed is a good rule of thumb to preserve food, but only if an outage lasts fewer than six hours. Refrigerated items are no longer safe to consume once they reach a temperature of 40° F for about two hours. A full freezer can keep food safe for about two days, according to the Allegheny County Health Department. A freezer that is half full can preserve food for about a day.
That leaves many forced to empty out their fridges this week.
Households that use SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that have had their food destroyed can request a replacement by contacting their County Assistance Office.
They must complete an Affidavit for Replacement of Food Destroyed in a Household Disaster within 10 days of the reported loss.
The signed affidavit can be taken in person or mailed to their County Assistance Office, or submitted online via COMPASS.
Home insurance often covers loss from spoilage. However, many policies require hitting your overall deductible before coverage kicks in, according to Matt Straley with Insurance Consultants of Pittsburgh.
“So basically, if you've got a $1,000 deductible on your homeowner's policy, you're going to have to have a very significant loss of food or spoilage to make turning a claim in even possible,” Straley said.
Specific policies differ, though. Straley says some include sub-limits for food loss. He recommends contacting an agent to find out what your policy covers.
Giant Eagle announced Thursday an effort to support Pittsburgh customers who had food spoil due to the storms. The grocer will offer a 15% discount on purchases made in Pittsburgh-area supermarkets on Sunday, May 4.
“We know that Pittsburgh is counting on us to help families restock their refrigerators and pantries, particularly when so many face the reality of unplanned — and unbudgeted — additional grocery store trips in light of widespread power outages,” said Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman in a statement.
All Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, Greene, and Indiana counties, Giant Eagle and Market District locations are participating in the one-day discount event. Customers will be presented with a coupon upon entering the store or arriving at checkout.
Purchases of milk, alcohol, fuel, tobacco, cigarettes, prescriptions and gift cards are excluded. Third party transactions through apps like DoorDash Uber Eats and Instacart do not qualify.
Extended hours for debris drop off
The City of Pittsburgh has extended hours for debris drop off at Department of Public Works locations on Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; fees are being waived for residents. Locations include:
https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh/status/1918220507385647285
As of Friday at 7 a.m., power remains out for around 95,000 customers across Southwestern Pennsylvania after Tuesday’s storm.
Utility companies are working to restore power, which was knocked out by downed trees and power lines from the strong winds.
Duquesne Light says they have restored power to “more than 60% of impacted customers,” but estimated Wednesday that it could take up to 5 to 7 days to restore energy across the region.
You can report outages and monitor outage maps at your utility:
- Duquesne Light: Map | Report Outage
- West Penn Power: Map | Report Outage
Branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Library Association offer Internet service.
Check locations to make sure they’re open; the Knoxville and Woods Run branches of the Carnegie Library system are closed today due to power outages.
- Carnegie Library: locations and hours
- Allegheny County Library Association: locations
Food safety & restocking the fridge
With thousands of Pittsburgh homes still without power as of late Thursday, public health officials have raised concerns about spoiled food.
Keeping the fridge and freezer doors closed is a good rule of thumb to preserve food, but only if an outage lasts fewer than six hours. Refrigerated items are no longer safe to consume once they reach a temperature of 40° F for about two hours. A full freezer can keep food safe for about two days, according to the Allegheny County Health Department. A freezer that is half full can preserve food for about a day.
That leaves many forced to empty out their fridges this week.
Households that use SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that have had their food destroyed can request a replacement by contacting their County Assistance Office.
They must complete an Affidavit for Replacement of Food Destroyed in a Household Disaster within 10 days of the reported loss.
The signed affidavit can be taken in person or mailed to their County Assistance Office, or submitted online via COMPASS.
Home insurance often covers loss from spoilage. However, many policies require hitting your overall deductible before coverage kicks in, according to Matt Straley with Insurance Consultants of Pittsburgh.
“So basically, if you've got a $1,000 deductible on your homeowner's policy, you're going to have to have a very significant loss of food or spoilage to make turning a claim in even possible,” Straley said.
Specific policies differ, though. Straley says some include sub-limits for food loss. He recommends contacting an agent to find out what your policy covers.
Giant Eagle announced Thursday an effort to support Pittsburgh customers who had food spoil due to the storms. The grocer will offer a 15% discount on purchases made in Pittsburgh-area supermarkets on Sunday, May 4.
“We know that Pittsburgh is counting on us to help families restock their refrigerators and pantries, particularly when so many face the reality of unplanned — and unbudgeted — additional grocery store trips in light of widespread power outages,” said Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman in a statement.
All Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, Greene, and Indiana counties, Giant Eagle and Market District locations are participating in the one-day discount event. Customers will be presented with a coupon upon entering the store or arriving at checkout.
Purchases of milk, alcohol, fuel, tobacco, cigarettes, prescriptions and gift cards are excluded. Third party transactions through apps like DoorDash Uber Eats and Instacart do not qualify.
Extended hours for debris drop off
The City of Pittsburgh has extended hours for debris drop off at Department of Public Works locations on Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; fees are being waived for residents. Locations include:
- East End (6814 Hamilton Ave.)
- Hazelwood (40 Melanchton St.)
- West End (1330 Hassler St.)
- Highland Park (6520 Stanton Ave.)