A notification on PECO’s website stated: “Strong high winds and rain have passed through our service area. Do not touch or move downed wires and consider all downed wires as energized and dangerous. Due to increased outage reports, you may experience some delays in obtaining information. To report an outage, call 1-800-841-4141 or contact us through the PECO mobile app.”

According to PECO’s latest data, the hardest-hit areas in Pennsylvania include:

Delaware County – 72,1555 outages

Bucks County – 71,893 outages

Montgomery County – 70,422 outages

Chester County – 40,786 outages

Philadelphia County – 20,791 outages

York County – 218 outages

Prior to the outages, PECO issued a warning: “Severe storms are forecasted to bring heavy rain and strong winds to PECO service territories, lasting until 9pm. Prepare for potential downed trees and power lines.”

Severe Weather In Pennsylvania

Several parts of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, experienced steamy and stormy conditions Thursday evening as powerful storms swept through the region.

In Blue Bell, a tree fell onto a car with a family inside. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

In Chester County, the storm also triggered a house fire on Westbourne Road in Westtown Township. Officials said no one was injured and believe the home was unoccupied at the time. While the fire appears to be weather-related, the exact cause remains under investigation.

Also Read: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for New York and New Jersey: Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan under weather alert

Earlier in the evening, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning around 5 p.m. for Chester, Delaware, and New Castle counties. The warning remained in effect for approximately 30 minutes as strong winds and heavy rain moved through the area.

Wednesday was a big day for folks who love the Delaware River.

Officials with Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and National Resources have named the Delaware the river of the year for 2025.

The announcement was made at a community festival in Monroe County.

It’s in conjunction with the 30th annual Delaware River Sojourn. The sojourn runs through this Friday.

Heffernan, a northern New Castle County Democrat, did not respond to a request from WHYY News for comment about going back to the drawing board.

From Cirwithian’s perspective, Heffernan is doing the right thing by hitting the pause button.

“That’s amazing,” Cirwithian exclaimed. “I’m just not going to a liquor store. And then to be able to get my health and wellness advice from someone who knows what they’re talking about, who’s done the research, I’m extremely excited.”

Zoe Patchell, who heads the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network, agreed that Heffernan was wise to withdraw the bill “that would have had significant unintended consequences” for the hemp industry and their customers.

“The common ground between all this is the lawmakers, regulators and the local hemp businesses all agreed that regulation with testing, labeling and age restrictions are all the way to go,” Patchell said.

Patchell has said she believes CBD stores should be able to sell products with less than 0.3% of THC, which are permitted by federal law. She also said those stores, as well as the retail weed stores, should be able to sell the THC-infused drinks. 

Joshua Sanderlin, who was sworn in as marijuana commissioner a month ago, told WHYY News last week that cannabis-infused drinks should be sold at retail weed stores as long as they are produced in Delaware. The 2023 law that created the legal market stipulated that the state’s retail weed stores can only sell marijuana grown in the state.

Sanderlin also said regulation of intoxicating THC products is paramount for the safety of residents.

“There are no regulations in place for these products and they are coming into the state,” Sanderlin said. “So getting some regulations around them, getting some testing on them, is the most important thing that we’re facing.”