Power still out for many in Franklin County; speed restrictions lifted

More than 5,000 West Penn Power customers in Franklin County were still without electricity late Tuesday morning after Tropical Storm Sandy tore through the county Monday night and early Tuesday.

The majority of the outages were concentratted in St. Thomas, Montgomery and Peters townships, FirstEnergy's website reported at 11:22 a.m.

At 9 a.m., Pennsylvania lifted the speed-limit and vehicle restrictions that were in place on roadways in eastern and southcentral Pa., state officials announced.

National Guard road and boat crews were on standby overnight in Franklin County, where emergency services officials are monitoring what they feel will be the worst period of former Hurricane Sandy passing through the area.

The storm was expected to be its strongest in southcentral Pennsylvania from 4 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. today, according to Dave Donohue, director of Franklin County Department of Emergency Services.

“We anticipate Franklin County will be one of the harder hit areas in Pennsylvania. ... We anticipate lots of trees falling over because of the wind direction and the rain,” he said.

St. Thomas, Pa., residents reported trees falling onto two houses. Other calls to the Franklin County 911 Center included a chimney down in Fort Loudon, Pa., and live wires down in front of an emergency vehicle.

As of 8:15 p.m., about 2,000 people were without power, Donohue said. The majority of them were in St. Thomas, Guilford and Hamilton townships, he said.

“It’s a situation where 10 people are without power. They get those fixed, and 10 more lose power,” Donohue said.

In Greene Township, crews evacuated 75 people from the Lincoln Dale mobile home park. Those people were taken to the Salem Unity Brethren Church shelter, which was prepared to accept a total of 150 people.

“They are getting pretty close to capacity there,” Donohue said Monday night.

The American Red Cross of the Cumberland Valley was preparing to open more shelters, according to Donohue.

“There are probably going to be a couple other planned evacuations,” he said.

The Conodoguinet Creek had reached flood stages. Water started spilling over Long Pine Run Dam, sending water downstream.

“There is the possibility of cresting on the stream,” Donohue said.

Shelters also are open at Grace Brethren Church on North Washington Street in Greencastle, Pa., and Blue Ridge Fire Hall on Monterey Lane in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. Borough of Waynesboro officials said residents in need of shelter may also go to Waynesboro’s fire stations or ambulance squad.

A nursing home in the Fannett-Metal area chose to transfer its residents to the local fire department, Donohue said. One building on the South Mountain Restoration Center campus underwent evacuations to relocate people to another building there, he said.

The majority of Franklin County’s municipalities declared a state of emergency, and the county commissioners are expected to ratify a countywide state of emergency this morning. Those efforts affect how government entities purchase items and make repairs.

The Franklin County Department of Emergency Services requested the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency send cots, generators, a boat team, thousands of sand bags, supplies for shelters, and pet food.

A few weather-related vehicle crashes were reported throughout the day, but power lines were initially faring OK in the inclement weather, Donohue said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced reduced speed limits of 45 mph on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) and Interstate 81.

National Guard teams deployed to Franklin County had a boat and a 6-by-6 vehicle. Donohue said those would be used to help people in the Roxbury vicinity cross the river to reach medical care if necessary.
Both the Conococheague and Conodoguinet creeks had remained within their banks as of 3 p.m., but that was expected to change, Donohue said.

Once the storm passes, National Guardsmen will be cutting paths in roads for power companies and dumping vegetative debris in fields temporarily, he said.

The storm caused numerous cancellations and closings throughout South Central Pennsylvania.

The Borough of Chambersburg canceled a borough council meeting and all recreation events. Franklin County government and court offices are closed until Wednesday.

PennDOT closed its licensing center and said it was talking about closing some highways altogether.

The Franklin County (Pa.) Republican Committee canceled its Eisenhower Day dinner, which was supposed to feature former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum as a keynote speaker. Committee chairman Dwight Weidman said the event will be rescheduled.

“It just got too bad,” he said. “There were too many people who didn’t want to take a chance (on traveling) and I agree with them.”

All Franklin County public schools are closed until Wednesday. Southern Fulton School District in Warfordsburg, Pa., also is closed and will be operating on a two-hour delay on Wednesday.

Waynesboro Assistant Manager Jason Cohen said if traffic signals go out, state law dictates the situation should be treated as a four-way stop.

“Also, should a motorist require a water rescue from emergency personnel, they will likely be billed for such services,” he wrote in an email.

Waynesboro suspended trash service until Wednesday.

The Franklin County Commissioners canceled Monday’s pollworker training class. There will be a training session at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Emergency phone numbers in Franklin County

Franklin County residents who need transportation to a shelter should call 717-264-2813.

Sandbags are available to residences and businesses with a history of flooding. To obtain one, call your local municipality. Some municipalities are remaining open for emergency operations, while others closed early.

911 should be reserved for emergency calls.

The Borough of Chambersburg was maintaining a list of basements that needed to be pumped. To be added to the list, call 717-263-4111. Officials warned pumping services would not be available until after the storm and recommended private restoration services.

For disruption in Borough of Chambersburg utilities, call 717-263-4111.

Washington Township Municipal Authority had an emergency water supply available for residents whose wells fail due to power outages. Call 717-762-3108.

West Penn Power encourages online reporting of power outages. Hazardous situations, like downed wires, should be reported to 1-888-544-4877 and 911.