Powerful thunderstorms tore through the Tri-County area on Sunday afternoon, bringing down trees, damaging property, and knocking out power to thousands of residents.

"Based on the damage reports, wind speeds of over 50 mph were fairly common," said Matt Steinbugl, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in State College.

The DuBois Regional Airport recorded peak wind gusts of 49 mph, while Clearfield saw even stronger winds reaching 60 mph, according to Steinbugl.

As the storm moved in from the west, meteorologists issued tornado watches and warnings. While no tornadoes had been confirmed by Monday afternoon, assessment teams were surveying the hardest-hit areas.

Widespread Power Outages and Emergency Response in Jefferson County

By Monday, many communities were still without electricity, with Jefferson County among the hardest hit. The Punxsutawney Area School District was forced to cancel classes due to ongoing outages.

Chris Clark, deputy director of Jefferson County Emergency Management, said emergency responders initially dealt with downed trees blocking roads and power lines. However, two homes were also struck by falling trees, including one in Sigel that sustained such severe damage it was deemed uninhabitable. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the American Red Cross stepped in to assist the displaced family.

In Eldred Township, Sigel, a power surge knocked out the local water treatment facility, disabling the system and its pumps. "We brought in a large generator to get the plant running again," Clark said.

Punxsutawney Faces Significant Storm Impact

The most severe power disruptions occurred in Punxsutawney, where electricity went out around 2 p.m. Sunday, impacting key facilities, including the Punxsutawney Area Hospital. A power surge even damaged a generator at the Punxsutawney Borough building on East Mahoning Street, leaving offices without electricity.

By Monday afternoon, Clark reported that restoration efforts were progressing, with some facilities regaining power.

To assist affected residents, warming centers were established at the Lindsey Fire Company in Punxsutawney and the Big Run Event Center in Big Run, offering food, warmth, and charging stations. The Lindsey Fire Company planned to keep its doors open until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Clark commended the countywide emergency response. “Every fire department in the county was called out for downed trees, power lines, and other storm-related incidents,” he said. “If they could, they reopened roadways as quickly as possible. It was a great county-wide effort.”

Storm Damage in St. Marys and Sandy Township

In St. Marys, a fallen tree brought down power lines leading to the Sherry Road pump station, temporarily disrupting water service. The St. Marys Water Authority expected West Penn Power crews to restore service soon.

Sandy Township also sustained notable storm damage. Emergency Management Assistant Coordinator Bob Wilson reported widespread downed trees and power lines in areas such as Treasure Lake, Sabula, Oklahoma, and West Sandy. The Sandy Township Volunteer Fire Department remained busy responding to weather-related emergencies well into the evening.

Minimal Impact in DuBois

Despite the severity of the storm elsewhere, DuBois saw little damage. City of DuBois Emergency Management Director Scott Farrell confirmed that there were no weather-related incidents reported on Sunday.

Clearfield Fairgrounds See Minor Damage, Quick Recovery Efforts

At the Clearfield County Fairgrounds, most structures remained intact, but a box trailer sustained minor damage when part of the roofing collapsed onto it. The trailer, however, remained operational.

Volunteers and local businesses quickly mobilized to assist with cleanup efforts at Driving Park.

“The fair and park board would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who stepped up to help,” said Bill Hallstrom, a representative of the Clearfield County Fair and Park Board.

Scott McCracken, owner of B & C Pools and Spas in Clearfield, was among the first to arrive, bringing a skid steer to help remove the fallen asphalt roofing.

Just 10 minutes later, Ben Timko of 765-Roof/765-Deck arrived unprompted, offering his company’s assistance. He sent a work crew equipped with tools and arranged for a dumpster to handle debris removal.

“We are incredibly thankful for how quickly people came together to support us,” Hallstrom said.

On Monday, Clearfield Borough workers ensured any remaining debris was removed.

An insurance broker has assessed the damage, though an adjuster has yet to provide a formal estimate.

Despite the setback, Hallstrom expressed confidence that the necessary repairs would be completed well before the Clearfield County Fair begins on July 11. He also noted that the damaged asphalt roof, which is approximately 40 years old, had likely exceeded its lifespan.

Fortunately, no other buildings at Driving Park were affected, and no injuries were reported.