NWS: straight-line winds, not a tornado, to blame
MSI previously reported that four microbursts hit the city Saturday afternoon amid a broader pattern of severe weather. By Sunday, residents and crews were clearing debris and assessing the extent of the damage across multiple affected neighborhoods.
A building that collapsed in a West Philadelphia neighborhood threw bricks into the street, crushing cars and blocking trolley tracks, according to the National Weather Service. Part of a roof was torn off a Philadelphia Housing Authority apartment building. The storms also downed trees and power lines and flooded a handful of streets.
The National Weather Service said at least four microbursts brought straight-line wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph (97 to 113 kph) to Montgomery and Philadelphia counties between about 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Despite speculation that the damage had been caused by a tornado, NWS officials confirmed the straight-line winds were to blame.
The microbursts in Philadelphia were among a range of severe weather across the U.S. this weekend that included heatwaves, flooding and wildfires.