The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 3:26 p.m. on Saturday for strong thunderstorms until 4 p.
m. for Cambria, Blair, Somerset and Bedford counties. The storms may bring wind gusts of up to 55 mph and marble-sized hail (0.
5 inches). "At 3:26 p.m.
, Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Portage, moving east at 40 mph," says the weather service. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
" Locations impacted by the alert include Windber, Portage, Roaring Spring, Geistown, New Enterprise, Martinsburg, Claysburg, East Conemaugh, Osterburg, Salix-Beauty Line Park, Beaverdale-Lloydell, Paint, South Fork, Scalp Level, Sidman, St. Michael, Dunlo, Ehrenfeld, Blue Knob State Park and Ski Gap. The weather service states, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
" Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weat.