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Berkshire Valley Road has been reopened after being closed for about four hours as the result of a powerful thunderstorm that wreaked havoc on Jefferson Township on Sunday evening. The storm took out trees and power lines and caused several accidents.
Here’s what happening, according to the Jefferson Township Police Department
- Several trees fell at a home on Weldon Road, damaging a shed and a fence.
- The traffic light at Route 15 and Berkshire Valley Road is currently out of service.
- A tree fell on Route 15 South near Hellers Lane.
- Approximately 5,000 residents of the township were without power directly after the storm, according to JCP&L. As of 9 p.m. on Sunday, that number was reduced to about 600.
“There are trees down all over town,” Jefferson Police Capt. Eric Wilsusen said. “The fire departments and DPW are going crazy trying to remove the trees from the road.”
Patch will keep you updated throughout the evening.
Do you have any storm-related damage? Any problems or questions due to the storm? Reach out to us in the comment section below and we’ll try to get your questions answered as soon as possible. Also, if you have any pictures from the storm, share them with us.
Sue Toth
7:10 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
We hope everyone is okay. Let us know if we can answer any questions.
Carol P
7:24 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Trees down all over Berkshire Valley Road - police and emergency services out - drive cautiously if headed toward Route 15 - but know that the police have the intersection closed off as there are no traffic lights operating.
Carol P
7:28 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
OEM just sent out a notification to everyone on the Honeywell Instant Alert System --We just made it home!
"Due to the recent storm there are many power lines and trees down. Residents are advised to use caution and contact JCP&L directly if your residence is out of power. In addition Berkshire Valley Rd is closed from Portifinos to Rt 15 with numerous trees and wires down. Motorists are advised to use Weldon Rd as an alternate route."
Sue Toth
7:31 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thanks for all your help Carol! Glad you are safe!
Sue Toth
7:58 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
We're getting reports of an accident with injuries at Berkshire Valley Road and Cayuga Trail. We will keep you posted.
Beachbum
8:07 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Funny, I didn't get any instant alerts.
Carol P
8:29 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
@ Beachbum - Jefferson Township residents have to register for the township's new Honeywell Instant Alert System to get alert notices. Sign up at www.jeffersontownship.net and click on the Honeywell Instant Alert icon as you scroll down on the home page and follow the instructions. There is no charge.
Michelle Cooper
8:24 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
My Family and I were driving home in it. It was very bad. The wind picked up then the rain, we could not see. We were afraid to stop because we did not want a tree to fall on us. We did pullover in area where there was extra shoulder. Then continued on as the rain let up. There were trees everywhere and power lines down by Portofinos.
Sue Toth
8:27 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
We're down to 4,000 residences in town without power, according to JCP&L.
Sue Toth
8:27 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Michelle, glad you are safe!
Michelle Cooper
8:40 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thank you. As we drove by, people were helping to remove trees and motorists were all okay. I think it must have been a micro burst that came by.
Sue Toth
8:58 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Anyone seeing anything new? Let us know.
Thomas Selesky
9:59 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Jcpl says outages down to less then 800! Hard to believe from Cedar Terrace view!
Sue Toth
10:37 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
At 9 p.m. it was down to 600. Now it's back up to 800. We're trying to find out what's going on.
Thomas Selesky
8:45 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Power was restored to the Wharton section of town around 4 AM. Thanks to an outstanding effort by local employees and outstanding Union members of JCPL!
Dee Schmitz
9:51 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Anyone get their tv, internet and phone service back? Still down as of 9:50am... cablevision has no estimate on time of returning service.