Severe weather in Beaver County splits home in half

On a Friday evening in Beaver County, strong storms caused significant damage, including power outages affecting approximately 9,600 residents, particularly in Beaver Falls and New Brighton. The severe weather uprooted numerous trees, leading to dangerous conditions in the area. One particularly massive tree, measuring eight feet in diameter at its base, fell on a home in Patterson Heights, splitting it in half and trapping one of the homeowners inside. The incident occurred around 6:30 PM when residents reported increasing wind speeds and hail. The homeowners, who had been cooking outside, received a weather alert prompting them to seek shelter indoors. Unfortunately, the tree crashed onto their residence while one of the occupants, Nadine, was still inside. Her husband had to break a window to rescue her, but she sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital with a broken ankle. Neighbors described the scene as terrifying, with one stating that the tree's fall was a worst-case scenario. The homeowner, Gregg Galbreath, noted that the tree's unusual behavior during the storm indicated that something had disrupted its normal stability, leading to its collapse. This event highlights the destructive power of severe weather and the potential dangers posed to residents in affected areas. The community is left to assess the damage and recover from the aftermath of the storm, which has left many without power and in need of assistance.