At least 2 dead in Pittsburgh as severe storms sweep through Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

At least two people died in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, after a derecho swept through the area, downing power lines and trees. The storm was part of a larger severe weather system that affected the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

At least 2 deaths were reported in Pittsburgh after a powerful derecho impacted the area on Tuesday, April 29.

A derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a line of fast-moving thunderstorms. To be classified as a derecho, the event must produce a continuous swath of damaging winds extending at least 400 km (250 miles), with wind gusts of at least 93 km/h (58 mph) along most of its path. Unlike tornadoes, which produce rotating winds, derechos generate straight-line winds that can cause extensive damage similar to that of a hurricane.

One fatality was reported near St. Martin after a man got electrocuted by live wires from a downed power line, according to the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department. According to CBS, a live wire fell onto the man’s vehicle around 19:00 local time (LT), and he was electrocuted while attempting to remove it with a stick.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether the second fatality was associated with the severe weather or not, and the details are yet to be released.

More than 700 000 customers across the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast experienced power outages on Tuesday as the storms brought winds exceeding 112 km/h (70 mph), equivalent to Category 1 hurricane strength. This is approximately 1.7 to 2.1 million people left without electricity.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Pittsburgh International Airport recorded a wind gust of 114.7 km/h (71.3 mph), the third strongest ever measured at that location.

Strong winds knocked down trees and power lines across the affected regions, causing over 20 000 hazard incidents, according to Duquesne Light Company. As of late Tuesday evening, more than 240 000 customers were without power in Allegheny and Beaver counties alone.

The company described Tuesday’s storm as an “unprecedented event” in its history due to the scale of damage and widespread outages.

Forest Hills Mayor Frank Porco declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, urging residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

Wind damage was reported across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, New York, and West Virginia. Multiple structures sustained damage, with roofs torn off and trees and power lines falling on homes and other buildings.

On Pittsburgh’s South Side, a roof was torn from a furniture store and landed at the intersection of East Carson Street and the Birmingham Bridge. Strong winds also removed the roof of a pizza shop on West Liberty Avenue.

Oakmont Country Club’s setup for the 2025 U.S. Open sustained damage as strong winds tore through a hospitality tent erected for the June golf tournament.

The severe weather threat remains, as a low-pressure system is forecast to track northeast into the Great Lakes, bringing a cold front to the Pittsburgh region on Thursday, May 1. Strong winds and large hail are expected, with the most significant impacts likely from afternoon through evening, particularly in northwestern Pittsburgh.

Feature image credit: Suzanne Atkinson

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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