Warming Centers Open As Thousands Remain In Dark

It was a cold night for thousands of Levittown-area families who did not have power.

As of 7:45 a.m. Thursday, more than 18,300 PECO customers remained without power due to Wednesday’s nor’easter that brought snow and wind. Across Bucks County, the total number of people without power was 46,000.

Warming stations were open in Bristol Township, Falls Township and Middletown.

A warming station was opened as of 9 a.m. at the Bristol Township Senior Center off Bath Road. Falls Township opened their Administration Building on Lincoln Highway to help warm residents and allow them to charge their devices. In Middletown, the Municipal Building on Municipal Way was opened and was being operated as a warming station with the assistance of the American Red Cross.

PECO spokesperson Greg Smore said crews were out in abundance working to get the greatest amount of customers back on the grid as soon as possible. More than 500 additional personnel and contractors were added to the 4,000 already working to restore power.

PECO’s top priority has been restoring service to the shrinking number of customers without power since last Friday’s storm. At the same time, teams are working to fix damage from Wednesday, Smore said.

The Bristol, Falls, Lower Makefield, Middletown and Upper Makefield areas were impacted the hardest, Smore explained, adding the majority of damage was from downed trees and limbs.

Middletown police Chief Joseph Bartarillo said parts of the township had their power restored early Thursday morning. As of Wednesday night, he estimated about 50 percent of the township was without electric service.

Volunteer firefighters ran calls throughout Wednesday night related to weather and downed wires.

Most main roads were cleared or passable for Thursday morning’s commute, but some side streets remained covered in Levittown, residents reported.

Municipal and PennDOT crews were spotted on a number of local roads working to clear remaining snow.