PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia continues its coordinated response to widespread damage caused by severe thunderstorms that moved through the city Saturday afternoon, bringing destructive straight-line winds, downed trees, power outages, localized flooding, and structural damage across multiple neighborhoods.
According to the National Weather Service, a series of at least four severe microbursts producing straight-line wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph moved through portions of West and South Philadelphia between approximately 2:44 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. The National Weather Service confirmed the widespread damage was caused by straight-line winds associated with the microbursts, not a tornado.
“To every Philadelphian impacted by today’s storms, I want you to know this: We are with you,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who spent Saturday afternoon and evening touring affected neighborhoods, meeting with residents, surveying storm damage, and receiving operational briefings from city leaders. “Every level of government is working together today, tonight, and for as long as it takes to respond to this storm, restore services, and help our residents recover. That is our commitment.”
As damage assessments continue overnight, Mayor Parker and city leadership are taking additional recovery measures, including a Declaration of Disaster Emergency related to the July 11 storms. The city expects to provide additional updates on Sunday as more information becomes available.
Mayor Parker was joined by Chief of Staff Tiffany W. Thurman, Chief Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garrett Harley, Deputy Managing Director Dominick Mireles, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel, Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson, Streets Commissioner Kristin Del Rossi, Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Benjamin Jewell, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson, Licenses & Inspections Commissioner Ralph DiPietro, Philadelphia Housing Authority President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah, Executive Director of Neighborhood and Community Action Centers Anton Moore, Pennsylvania State Representative Amen Brown, and leadership from the Office of Emergency Management and other city agencies. Mayor Parker also spoke directly with the president of PECO to coordinate ongoing restoration efforts.
One of the City’s most significant emergency responses occurred at a Philadelphia Housing Authority apartment building near 55th and Vine in West Philadelphia, where high winds caused significant roof damage and substantial water intrusion that affected 11 residential units. According to Philadelphia Housing Authority President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah, all residents were safely evacuated, with SEPTA buses providing temporary shelter while emergency responders assessed the building. Residents are being relocated to a nearby hotel and have been connected with food, resources, and other immediate support as PHA evaluates the damage and determines next steps.
“I’m grateful to Mayor Parker for her leadership and for the extraordinary coordination among City agencies and our partners today,” said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority. “Our shared focus has been the safety of our residents. Because everyone worked together so quickly, we were able to safely evacuate every resident and immediately connect families with shelter, food, and the resources they need while we determine the next steps.”
Elsewhere, emergency crews also responded to a damaged residential building on the 2400 block of Washington Avenue, where 12 occupants were displaced. The Office of Emergency Management continues coordinating assistance for affected residents while Licenses & Inspections oversees the response at the property.
Deputy Managing Director Dominick Mireles said the storm caused damage across numerous Philadelphia ZIP codes, primarily affecting West and South Philadelphia. As reports of downed trees, hazardous road conditions, flooding, power outages, and other storm-related emergencies began coming into 911, Philadelphia Police, the Fire Department, and City agencies immediately mobilized.
Mireles noted that Saturday marked Day 32 of the City’s planned 40-day Emergency Operations Center activation, supporting Philadelphia’s unprecedented summer of major events, including FIFA Fan Festival activities and Major League Baseball All-Star Week. City departments had been closely monitoring weather forecasts throughout the day and were prepared to respond as conditions changed.
The city has now transitioned from its initial emergency response phase into a comprehensive damage assessment phase as crews continue evaluating impacts, clearing hazards, and prioritizing restoration efforts.
Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said the Philadelphia Police Department received approximately 3,000 calls for service between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., including approximately 800 from West Philadelphia, as severe storms moved through the city. Officers continue responding to storm-related incidents and ask residents, when possible, to wait until Sunday to report non-emergency issues so officers can continue prioritizing life safety and active emergency calls.
Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson reported that the Philadelphia Fire Department has responded to approximately 125 calls involving downed wires and four incidents involving vehicles in floodwater. The department continues response to storm-related emergencies across the city, and as of Saturday evening, no storm-related injuries had been reported. Residents are urged to continue exercising caution around downed trees, standing water, and electrical wires as response and recovery efforts continue.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has deployed city crews and contractors to clear downed trees, prioritizing those blocking roadways and those that have fallen on homes and vehicles. Philadelphia Water Department crews continue responding to flooded intersections and basement flooding while clearing storm drains. City officials are tracking impacts across West and South Philadelphia, including more than 500 active power outages affecting over 26,000 PECO customers, while continuing to coordinate closely with the utility on restoration efforts.
Damage assessments remain ongoing. City residents should call 911 to report emergencies, including downed trees blocking roadways, structural emergencies, or immediate threats to life or property. Non-emergency issues should be reported through Philly311 using the 311 app, online, or by phone. Residents who experienced storm-related property damage are encouraged to complete the City’s online damage survey to help officials assess the full extent of storm impacts.
Mayor Parker also encouraged Philadelphians to check on their neighbors, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone who may need extra assistance in the aftermath of the storm. “Please look out for one another during this time,” said Mayor Parker. “While our city crews continue working around the clock to restore services and assess damage, checking on a neighbor can make all the difference.”