In Pa., storm knocks power out for thousands

STAFF/WIRE REPORTS
HARRISBURG -- A weakening Tropical Storm Isabel sped through Pennsylvania today, helping to keep rain totals down, even as violent wind gusts wreaked havoc across the state, knocking out power to 350,000 customers and killing at least one person.
Storm preparations dominated life across the state Thursday. Some readied by buying extra groceries or leaving work early. Thousands of pupils eyed a surprise three-day weekend, or the delay of classes, including many in Mercer and Lawrence counties. Some even postponed their football games tonight.
In Mercer County, Jamestown and Commodore Perry canceled school while Farrell, Hermitage, Reynolds, Kennedy Catholic, Geno Monti, Notre Dame and St. Joseph all delayed their start by 21/2 hours.
West Middlesex and Sharpsville had two-hour delays and Sharon started school at 10 a.m.
Mercer County was under both a high wind and flood advisory until noon today.
In Lawrence County, all schools had a two-hour delay.
Playing it safe
New Castle Schools Superintendent George Gabriel said he decided to play it safe when there were warnings of strong wind gusts and heavy rains.
"I was very concerned about children being outside waiting for the bus or walking to school," Gabriel said. The pupils were all expected in class by late morning.
Other emergency officials in Lawrence County say they were also surprised by the weakened storm system that passed through the area.
Sharyn Critchlow, county emergency management director, said her office remained open through the night checking on damage that didn't happen.
"We have actually lucked out," she said.
Frank Janetti, Lawrence County 911 director, said no problems were reported overnight and Pennsylvania State Police also said nothing was reported.
Gatherings
In Altoona, the blustery day ushered a healthy crowd to Al's Tavern.
"We had more people in [Thursday] afternoon because they were hoping they didn't have to go to work [today]," said Thaddeus McDonough, the bar's general manager, who noted that Isabel was a "huge topic of conversation," though he thought the storm had been overhyped.
Truckers filled the lot at the Petro All-American Plaza truck stop in Breezewood on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, near the Maryland border, early today. Some were looking for a respite from the weather; others wanted information about Isabel.
Forecasters said Isabel has moved through the state faster than expected, and earlier predictions of between 6 and 9 inches of rain in some areas weren't likely to materialize.
At 2 a.m. today the National Weather Service had recorded rain totals of roughly an inch or less in many areas of the state.
Barry Lambert, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said the sun was likely to emerge in eastern Pennsylvania this afternoon and create an atmosphere for thunderstorms, and possibly slight tornados.
Downed trees and power lines were reported across the state, with Lancaster County reporting more than 100 fallen trees. In Philadelphia, a 58-year-old man was knocked unconscious and hospitalized after a sign blew over and fell on him.
Flooding still possible
While forecasters said the storm appeared less powerful than earlier feared, serious flooding remained a possibility since soil in the already rain-soaked state was projected to overflow if drenched by a new batch of showers.
Gov. Ed Rendell declared a state of disaster emergency Thursday to help mobilize state aid for any damage caused by the tropical storm. The National Guard placed 2,990 guardsmen on emergency status and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation put extra personnel on standby.
The declaration includes a $5 million transfer to PEMA that can be used to hire cleanup crews.
Philadelphia International Airport canceled 20 percent of its departures until 7:30 a.m. today, a city spokeswoman said. More than 150 flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to East Coast destinations were also canceled.
Allegheny County officials said they expect some flooding in communities along the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers this weekend. No evacuations were ordered.