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Storm downs trees and blows off roofs around Lehigh Valley, causes thousands of power outages

March 17, 2026 at 3:55 pm

Storm downs trees and blows off roofs around Lehigh Valley, causes thousands of power outages

Storms brought strong winds to the Lehigh Valley late Monday evening, downing numerous trees, blowing roofs off some structures, and leading to widespread power outages.

Storm damage from Monday night’s high winds is seen Tuesday, March 17, 2026, to a house on Devonshire Road in Allentown. Storms down trees and blow off roofs around Lehigh Valley, causing thousands of power outages. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Major power lines are down Tuesday, March 17, 2026, on south 12th Street in Allentown. Storms down trees and blow off roofs around Lehigh Valley, causing thousands of power outages. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Storm impacts multiple roads in the Lehigh Valley: Here are the latest road closures

Storm damage from Monday night’s strong winds is seen Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at a house on Devonshire Road in Allentown. Storms blew off roofs and downed trees and power lines around the Lehigh Valley, leaving thousands without electricity. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Storm damage around Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS

Scott McClary has resigned after eight seasons as the Bethlehem Catholic boys basketball coach.(CHRIS KNIGHT/ SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL)

Lehigh Valley high school boys basketball: A championship-winning, EPC coach has retired

The fajita burger with guacamole will be available in the Pig Pen during the 2026 season at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. It is one of the new foods the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are offering at the stadium this year. Photo taken Monday, March 16, 2026, during a media tasting. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Fajita burgers, tiramisu cups and more: We tried the new food coming to the IronPigs’ 2026 season

Latest Headlines

Lehigh Valley power outages: More than 5,000 still without electricity as of midday after storms

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Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band to kick off tour in Lehigh Valley

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Some airport employees aren’t getting paid during federal shutdown. LVIA is holding a donation drive

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Here’s where to eat and drink for St. Patrick’s Day in the Lehigh Valley

5 days ago
Pennsylvania holds special Medicare enrollment period due to LVHN and United dispute

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Man found dead in Lehigh River after fleeing from police is identified

1 day ago
Man charged in bank robberies in Northampton, Monroe counties

1 day ago
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Storm downs trees and blows off roofs around Lehigh Valley, causes thousands of power outages
Storm downs trees and blows off roofs around Lehigh Valley, causes thousands of power outages
Tornado watch canceled for Lehigh Valley, but severe storm threat continues [Updated]
Tornado watch canceled for Lehigh Valley, but severe storm threat continues [Updated]
Storm damage around Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS
Storm damage around Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS
Storm impacts multiple roads in the Lehigh Valley: Here are the latest road closures
Storm impacts multiple roads in the Lehigh Valley: Here are the latest road closures
Man found dead in Lehigh River after fleeing from police is identified
Man found dead in Lehigh River after fleeing from police is identified
Pennsylvania holds special Medicare enrollment period due to LVHN and United dispute
Pennsylvania holds special Medicare enrollment period due to LVHN and United dispute
Lehigh Valley food safety report: roaches, fruit flies, rodents; food containers stored in restroom; partly eaten food on display
Lehigh Valley food safety report: roaches, fruit flies, rodents; food containers stored in restroom; partly eaten food on display
Man charged in bank robberies in Northampton, Monroe counties
Man charged in bank robberies in Northampton, Monroe counties
Parkland leader upholds importance of diversity and equity in education
Parkland leader upholds importance of diversity and equity in education
Lehigh Valley set for heavy rain as confidence grows severe storms could affect region Monday
Lehigh Valley set for heavy rain as confidence grows severe storms could affect region Monday

Local News

Sharon Miller walks with her mother-in-law, Betty, a resident at Arden Courts Old Orchard memory care community in Bethlehem Township, during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Arden Courts. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Arden Courts Old Orchard memory care community | PHOTOS

St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Arden Courts Old Orchard memory care community

Sports

Brendan Reed, seen in action against Pottsville Nativity at Allentown’s PPL Center in 2022, is thrilled to be a member of his dad’s Lehigh men’s basketball team that won the Patriot League and is in the NCAA tournament. (Morning Call file photo)

Lehigh men’s basketball: For the Reed family, it’s been a dream season as Mountain Hawks head to Dayton

Lehigh's Brendan Reed fondly remembers winning a state title at ACCHS, but says current ride tops it all

Things to Do

Dogs dress in festive costumes Sunday, March 23, 2025, during the 66th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Your guide to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Lehigh Valley

From parades to pub crawls, here's where to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the and around the Lehigh Valley.

Storm damage around Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS

Storms brought fierce winds to the Lehigh Valley late Monday evening, downing trees, utility poles and wires, and even blowing roofs off some structures. See photos of the damage.
Allentown Band plays free concert before “Sounds of Spring Festival” at Carnegie Hall | PHOTOS
Bethlehem gets in St. Patrick’s Day spirit with Parade of Shamrocks | PHOTOS
Shave for the Brave in Emmaus raises money for child cancer research | PHOTOS
Lehigh Valley Flower & Garden Show | PHOTOS
Wawa opens new Whitehall store | PHOTOS
PIAA Basketball girls and boys second round doubleheader | PHOTOS

Opinion

Painting by Keith Rocco of a typical scene at the American army’s 1779-1780 winter camp at Jockey Hollow, Morristown, New Jersey. (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, Morristown National Historical Park)

Opinion: Irish immigrants deserve credit for crucial role in America’s revolution

Opinion: It is believed that as much as half of the Continental Army was of...

Crime and Public Safety

A man who fled from police and jumped into the Lehigh River on Thursday was found dead Saturday, authorities said. Dive teams were called Saturday, March 14, 2026, to Canal and Stewart streets near Canal Park in Northampton, on the other side of the river, according to emergency radio dispatches. The man had jumped into the river in that same area late Thursday morning while fleeing police, authorities had said. The man had tried to make it across the river, but went under and did not resurface, Coplay Police Chief Ryan Emmerich said on Friday. (Scott M. Nagy/Special to The Morning Call)

Man who fled police found dead in Lehigh River days later, coroner confirms

A man who fled from police and jumped into the Lehigh River on Thursday was...

Best Reviews

<p>Trove Brands/BestReviews illustration</p>

Owala’s FreeSip Twist is the next viral water bottle — and already selling out

If you're looking for an alternative to a Stanley Quencher tumbler that's safer and more...

Business

FILE -Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at the Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

How many rate cuts? Iran war upends Federal Reserve’s next steps

The Iran war has scrambled the Fed’s outlook on inflation and unemployment.

Pennsylvania News

Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his 2026-27 budget proposal to a joint session of the state Legislature on Feb. 3, 2026, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. (Dan Gleiter/pennlive.com/TNS)

Opinion: Secrecy is too often the norm in PA government, and we’re fighting back

Opinion: We pay for our government, and it should answer to us. But too often,...

National News

Emergency vehicles are seen outside a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Jasper, Ga., Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilie Megnien)

Gunman killed and one person hospitalized after a shooting at a Georgia VA clinic, police say

One other person described as a victim was airlifted to the hospital.

Allentown

Parkland High School Assistant Principal Crystal George sits Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in her office at the school. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Parkland leader upholds importance of diversity and equity in education

Amid federal efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Parkland assistant principal Crystal George...

Bethlehem Area

Samantha Harrison and son Bodey Price, 3, both of Bethlehem enjoy the festivities Saturday, March 14, 2026, during the 16th annual Parade of Shamrocks in downtown Bethlehem. The parade was presented by the Celtic Cultural Alliance and Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The St. Patrick’s Day celebration featured pipe bands, school marching bands and community groups, starting on Broad Street and ending under the Hill-To-Hill Bridge. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bethlehem gets in St. Patrick’s Day spirit with Parade of Shamrocks | PHOTOS

Bethlehem kicked off the St. Patrick's Day weekend with the 16th annual Parade of Shamrocks...