10 pm UPDATE: Weather Service On Scene

About half of the 4,000-plus Potter County households that were without power 24 hours after Thursday afternoon’s severe storm now have electricity. Portions of Coudersport, Roulette, Galeton and Genesee were brought back on line Friday evening. West Penn Power is still working in the Coudersport and Roulette areas. On Saturday, they will focus on re-establishing localized/neighborhood service. Meanwhile, Penelec is continuing to restore service in areas of Galeton that are still out and Tri-County REC continues working to restore its larger grid areas. Many — but not all — of the 2,000 households lacking electrical service as of late Friday should be back on line by Saturday night. Anyone who would like to report a power outage or obtain more information in the West Penn Power or Penelec service areas should call 1-888-544-4877.

National Weather Service representatives joined the Potter County Emergency Management Agency in touring the affected areas this afternoon to gather data on the nature of the storm. Official findings are pending, but initial reports suggest wind speeds of upwards of 90 miles per hour and a mixture of straight-line winds, microbursts and classification EF-1 tornado activity. Official designations will be announced at a later date.

Potter County officials are asking residents in the affected areas to check on their neighbors and see if they can render assistance to those with special needs, as refrigeration, water-pumping and communications services remain unavailable. Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department reminds those in need that its modular units along Rt. 6 west in Coudersport are open as comfort stations.