Over 6,300 customers of PPL in Carbon County were without power last night as a result of severe thunderstorms which rolled through the area.
The first storm occurred in the Mahoning Township area at about 7:55 p.m. By 8:15, power outages were prevalent from Normal Square to Lehighton borough. Traffic signals at the Normal Square and Wal-Mart intersections on Route 443 were not working.
PPL said this storm affected 1,069 customers.
Virtually all businesses along Route 443 were affected, including McDonald's, Berger King, Arby's, Wal-Mart, Giant Market, Big Lots, and Tractor Supply.
The TIMES NEWS wasn't affected because of its backup generators which kept computers, office lights, and press operating.
At 11 p.m., the power still wasn't restored to these areas.
At about 10 p.m., more outages were reported, this time in Penn Forest and Kidder Townships.
PPL said widespread electric outages caused by the volatile weather also occurred in Wayne and Pike counties, which were under a tornado watch during the early part of evening. Over 4,400 customers lost electricity in Wayne and Pike while only about a dozen PPL customers in the Pottsville area of Schuylkill County experienced power losses.
The tropical air mass associated with the front brought