4 dead, thousands without power after storms sweep across region

PHILADELPHIA - At least four people have died after separate incidents related to a line of powerful storms that bowled over most over the region on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Officials in Montgomery County are reporting three fatalities and a number of serious fires in the wake of the storms that brought heavy rain and damaging winds. 

In Delaware County, authorities say a man died after strong, straight-line winds knocked live power lines onto a home, causing the home to catch fire. A second man was able to escape the home.

Storms began to move into the Delaware Valley during the late morning hours. Areas to the west of the city in Montgomery County and Chester County saw downed trees and powerlines. 

The storm cluster made its way into Philadelphia around noontime with similar intensity. The first wave of the damaging weather saw downed trees and powerlines across the city.

A brief tornado warning kicked into effect Wednesday night for Philadelphia, Camden County, Burlington County and Gloucester County. The threat ended before 8 p.m. without reports of an incident.

PECO said Thursday morning more than 2,500 residents across the area have been left without power. 

The storm did not relent as it moved westward across New Jersey. Gusting winds and heavy rain left a wake of destruction and thousands without power. Wind speeds in some parts of the state ranged from 70 mph to nearly 90 mph.

The storm cut across the central and southern parts of the state. Reported damage stretched from Mercer County down to Camden County. Burlington County, one of the state's largest, also felt the brunt of the storm.

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