In the event of a telephone outage, some Pennsylvania communities have an old-school yet vital failsafe to alert first responders to an emergency. One of those communities is in the Midstate. Hanover is one of a handful of communities that still maintain a Gamewell telegraph fire call box system.

Officials reported a 911 outage across Pennsylvania on Friday, July 11, 2025. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) sent an alert to residents across the state shortly before 3:30 p.m. reporting the statewide outage.

PPL expects service to be restored by 7:30 p.m.Police and fire personnel remain on scene as of Wednesday afternoon, and the City of Allentown is urging the public to steer clear of the area while the scene is secured.

A power outage dragged on for a third day Tuesday for some businesses and Cambria County human services in downtown. Power was disrupted Sunday due to an issue in Penelec’s underground distribution network,

A power outage at the Monroe Energy facility in Marcus Hook, Pa., likely caused a gas odor that was reported in New Castle County, Delaware.

The downtown area of the Diamond City turned black as coal Wednesday night, as a large gas leak on East Market Street resulted in electricity being lost for many businesses and residents. A firefighter on scene said officials cut power as a safety precaution.

Adam Gattuso, vice president of Public Affairs at Monroe, said the plant did have some flaring because of a temporary power loss. The flare was the plant burning off product after unexpected power outages from overnight storms caused the plant to temporarily lose power, requiring the plant to burn off excess gas.

A planned substation meant to alleviate strain on the existing substation was awaiting construction during the outages it was designed to prevent.

Hundreds are without power in the Susquehanna Valley as severe storms hit the area. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Flood Watch have been issued by the National Weather Service for multiple counties in south-central Pennsylvania.