Philadelphia declares state of emergency after severe storms cause widespread damage

PHILADELPHIA — The city of Philadelphia declared a state of emergency on Saturday after severe thunderstorms battered the area overnight, causing widespread damage, power outages and home displacements. Wind speeds reached 97 to 113 kilometers per hour, toppling trees, downing power lines and flooding streets, with numerous buildings reporting structural damage. Mayor Cherelle Parker said she had inspected affected neighborhoods and that all city departments were working to restore services and support residents' recovery. Residents from damaged homes were temporarily placed in shelters and hotels across the city. The U.S. National Weather Service determined that the damage was caused by straight-line severe winds rather than a tornado, as initially suggested. In west Philadelphia, part of a building collapsed onto a street, scattering debris, damaging cars and forcing the closure of tram lines. The storms are part of a broader wave of extreme weather affecting the United States, which has also included extreme heat, flooding and wildfires in other regions.