At a Glance
- A First Alert storm blanketed the Philadelphia region on Friday, Dec. 19
- Wind gusts of 50-60 m.p.h. knocked out power and toppled trees
- Morning downpours flooded parts of the Jersey Shore
- Why it matters: Commuters faced flooded roads, and thousands remain without power heading into the weekend
A powerful storm roared across the Delaware Valley on Friday, packing torrential morning rain and howling winds that downed trees, flooded shore towns, and dropped temperatures from the low-60s to seasonable chill.
Timeline of the Storm
The first wave of heavy rain soaked the entire region before sunrise. By mid-afternoon the downpours pushed offshore, but winds intensified.
- 6 a.m. – Sustained gusts began ramping up
- Morning commute – Streets and highways flooded, slowing traffic
- Afternoon – Rain moved out; wind direction shifted and temperatures fell
- 10 p.m. – First Alert expired as winds began to ease
Hardest-Hit Areas
Power companies reported outages scattered across the Philadelphia suburbs after tree limbs crashed onto lines. Along the Jersey Shore, street flooding stranded vehicles in several shore communities. No injuries were immediately reported, according to the News Of Philadelphia First Alert Weather Team.
Key Takeaways
- 60° morning temperatures tumbled once winds shifted
- Peak gusts hit 50-60 m.p.h., snapping weak or water-soaked limbs
- Download the News Of Philadelphia app for real-time outage maps and updated forecasts
Crews worked through the night to restore electricity, but officials warned some customers could remain in the dark heading into the weekend.
