Story perspectives

Microbursts Force Lower Merion Emergency, 26K Outages

7/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lower Merion Township declared an emergency when microbursts downed trees and power lines, asking residents to stay off the roads.
The microbursts left 26,000 customers without power, generated 3,000 911 calls, and led Mayor Cherelle Parker to order overnight cleanup while Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel urged the public to hold non-urgent matters.
Thirty Philadelphia Housing Authority residents were displaced and moved to shelters as repairs were scheduled to start Monday.

1 of 1

Story summary

Lower Merion Township declared an emergency when microbursts downed trees and power lines, asking residents to stay off the roads.
The microbursts left 26,000 customers without power, generated 3,000 911 calls, and led Mayor Cherelle Parker to order overnight cleanup while Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel urged the public to hold non-urgent matters.
Thirty Philadelphia Housing Authority residents were displaced and moved to shelters as repairs were scheduled to start Monday.