National Weather Service says a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the entire Times News readership area through 6:15 p.m.

As of 5:30 p.m., PPL is reporting 150 customers without power in the Jim Thorpe Area and 414 in the Walnutport area.

In Lehighton, a tree was reportedly struck by lightning and split.

North Fireline Road was closed at Cherry Hill Road due to trees down.

In the Bloomingdale section of Summit Hill crews are directing traffic along Route 902 due to multiple downed trees. There are also reportedly multiple downed trees on Lentz Trail.

Fritz Valley Road was closed just south of Route 443 in Mahoning Township, also due to downed trees.

A manhole cover on First Street in Lehighton reportedly came off due to heavy rain. Also on First Street, downed trees and wires were disrupting traffic in the area of Dollar General.

A fast-moving storm with wind and lightning downed several trees in the Carbon County area. The storm swept through the area around 4 p.m. Numerous car crashes were reported.

Got photos of this afternoon's storm? Send them to

tneditor@tnonline.com, or post them on our facebook page.