Weather takes a turn
The updraft from thunderstorms Wednesday evening combined with dry air in the atmosphere to cause a downdraft that knocked down trees and power lines, and flipped over planes parked at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.
The downdraft, also known as a microburst, intensified the thunderstorm that caused the damage and cut power to 1,425 residents in the areas of Petrolia and Chicora as well as Penn and Jefferson townships. Power to those residents was gradually restored throughout the night.
Some areas of the county received little or no rain from the storm.
Bobbi Taylor wasn't home when the storm struck around 5 p.m., but returned to find a tree through the roof of her home on Mushrush Road in Jefferson Township.
“It was like a microburst. The tree came down on the roof. It busted the roof over the bedroom. The living room got it too,” Taylor said. “It's just a hideous mess.”In Penn Township, hail preceded the rain and the ensuing storm felled trees and power lines that forced the closure of Airport, Crisswell, Rockdale and Dutchtown roads and part of Three Degree Road, and blew over planes at the airport, said township police officer Jack Ripper.“It hailed like crazy down here. Shortly after that is when all the calls started coming in,” Ripper said.He said the volunteer fire department and street department cleared the downed trees from the roads. All the roads were reopened by 7:45 p.m.<b> A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the <a href="http://www.butlereagle.com/article/20210708/NEWS01/210709503">full story</a> and support our local, independent newsroom, please <a href="https://home.butlereagle.com/clickshare/myhome.do">subscribe online</a> or pick up Thursday’s print copy of the Butler Eagle. </b>
