Weather
Weather Service Investigating Tornado In Bucks Co.
The weather service is investigating to determine if a tornado touched down in Bucks Co., where 97K were without power Tuesday.
![The scene at Doylestown Hospital following a damaging storm Tuesday.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/127196/20200804/044824/styles/patch_image/public/download___04164536930.jpg)
BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The National Weather Service is investigating to determine if a tornado touched down in Bucks County Tuesday, after damaging winds from Tropical Storm Isaias caused widespread destruction in the Doylestown area.
Due to the volume of reports and information, a definitive designation may not be available until Wednesday, meteorologist Nicholas Carr said. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments by signing up for Patch news alerts here.
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The destructive storm passed through the area around 11:15 a.m. and caused damage to buildings and cars. It left local neighborhoods scattered with debris, toppling mailboxes, and downing trees and power lines.
Several roads were closed due to flooding, and more than 97,000 Bucks County residents have no power as 4:30 p.m.
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In Middletown Township, there were nearly 11,000 residents without power as of 4:30 p.m. In Lower Makefield, where more than 7,700 residents were without power, officials opened the community center for anyone who lost electricity from the storm.
It is not clear when the bulk of residents should expect their power to be restored. You can check for the latest PECO town-by-town updates here.
The utility company, which at one point reported more than 300,000 outages across its territory, said it currently has crews and more than 225 local contractors on-hand to respond to any outages. The company pledged its crews "will work around the clock until every last customer is restored."
The high winds caused extensive damage at the Doylestown Hospital campus and were strong enough to blow off a portion of the roof of the Children's Village, an onsite childcare facility. Additionally, six cars that were in the parking lot were overturned by the winds, hospital officials said.
No serious injuries were reported but four children were treated for minor injuries and released.
Other parts of the hospital that experienced serious storm damage included the infusion center and lobby of the Cancer Institute. Additionally, the roof and windows of the pavilion were also damaged, according to the hospital.
The emergency department, operating rooms and patient rooms remain in service as of Tuesday afternoon, the hospital said. But the storm is expected to disrupt some outpatient services. READ MORE: Doylestown Hospital Assessing Extensive Damage Due To Storm
It wasn't just the hospital that was handed a walloping punch from the tropical storm. Residents were working to clear debris that scattered across area neighborhoods.
This footage from the Doylestown area was shared Tuesday:
Major tornado damage near Doylestown PA @NWS_MountHolly pic.twitter.com/GaoLzKO5lE
— Mike Stanislaw (@mikestanislaw) August 4, 2020
The storm took out bleachers and trees at the War Memorial Fields at Central Bucks West High School, but there were no injuries on campus, Central Bucks School District Superintendent John Kopicki confirmed.
"An assessment is currently underway, but the stadium bleachers, dugout roofs, and trees sustained extensive damage," he said.
Flooding also caused problems throughout the county.
Earlier in the day, officials confirmed there was a water rescue on County Line Road in New Britain. A pregnant woman had to be rescued from her car after it stalled in the water in the area, county officials confirmed.
Drivers experienced several roadblocks as the storm closed roadways due to flooding.
In Solebury Township, extensive damage was reported. Police were urging residents to avoid travel, noting there were closures, as well as barricades on roads due to downed power lines.
Police in Newtown Township reported two road closures due to the storm. Plus, the Village at Newtown Shopping Center lost power on Tuesday afternoon.
In Doylestown Township, Upper State Road was closed between Leapson Lane and Almshouse Road due to heavy flooding. "Do not drive around road closed barricades," police said around 4 p.m.
Doylestown Borough officials said around noon that State Street was blocked by trees and East and N. Main streets were experiencing flooding.
In Buckingham Township, several roads were closed, including portions of Forest Grove Road, Creek Road, Pineville Road, and Burnt House Hill Road.
In Warwick, a tree and wires were down on Bristol Road between Valley Road and Guinea Lane. At one point, Bristol Road was completely blocked and police asked residents to avoid the area.
Flooding was widespread throughout the Philadelphia area. Here are the latest regional updates.
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