Dec 2, 2004 By Rebekah Sungala 2 min read

High winds ripped through the area early Wednesday morning, knocking down trees and power lines and scattering garbage cans and Christmas decorations. The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.

Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist with the weather service, said a high-wind warning is issued when sustained winds of 40 mph or gusts of at least 58 mph are expected.

According to Hendricks, the damage was widespread and generally minor.

“People were reporting trees and power lines down,” he said.

Hendricks said the ground was saturated from rain, making it easier for trees and poles to be blown over.

“When the ground is wet, it only takes a 40 mph wind,” he said.

High winds usually occur during this time of year because cold fronts clash with warm air.

“We had warm temperatures ahead of a vigorous cold front,” Hendricks said.

A shift supervisor from Fayette County 911 said the emergency center received more than 50 weather-related calls between 4 and 11 a.m. According to the supervisor, most of the callers reported fallen trees, downed power lines and power outages.

In Bullskin Township, vehicles were damaged when wind knocked over trees at the intersection of Longanecker Road and Skate Lane, the supervisor said.

Wharton Township police officer Dave Hormada said a vacant trailer at 381 Elliottsville Road was damaged.

“Trees fell on it and one fell through the roof,” he said.

Hormada said trees and power lines were down all over the township.

Shift supervisors at Washington and Greene County 911 centers said they also received weather-related calls. Many reported downed power lines. Supervisors said people were also reporting debris – branches and garbage cans – on roadways.

Fred Solomon, spokesman for Allegheny Power, said 32,000 customers in Pennsylvania were without power Wednesday morning.

According to Solomon, 108 customers in Fayette County were still without power Wednesday afternoon. In Washington County, 2,394 people were without power, and 699 people were without power in Greene County.

“We’re not looking to have everyone’s power restored until Thursday,” Solomon said. “We’re working as hard as we can. We have every available crew out there. This is just what happens when you have high winds and lots of trees.”