Extreme Winds Sweep Through Erie, Causing Widespread Damage

Cleanup crews and homeowners work to clear fallen trees and debris after powerful storm hits the region.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Extreme winds reaching up to 70 mph swept through the Erie region over the last 24 hours, toppling trees and leaving a trail of debris. Cleanup crews and homeowners began working early Monday morning to clear damage in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. The City of Erie saw widespread impacts from the storm, with certain areas containing older trees suffering the most damage.

Why it matters

The high winds caused significant property damage and disrupted power in the Erie region, highlighting the need for effective emergency response and disaster preparedness in the community. The cleanup efforts also underscore the challenges faced by local governments and residents in dealing with the aftermath of extreme weather events.

The details

Public works crews have been on the scene assessing and cleaning various locations since 3 a.m. to address roughly 60 reports of downed limbs and trees. The city uses a specific mechanical process to manage the fallen debris, cutting the trees with chainsaws and then utilizing high lifts equipped with claws to load the material into tandem trucks. The wood is transported to a local compost site where it is ground into woodchips. Safety concerns regarding downed utility lines have slowed progress in several neighborhoods, as city crews must wait for utility companies to clear the area before they can safely remove the debris.

  • The extreme winds swept through the Erie region over the last 24 hours.
  • Cleanup crews and homeowners began working early Monday morning to clear the damage.

The players

Jeff Gibbons

The assistant director of public works for the City of Erie.

Robert Takacs

A local resident who experienced power outages and damage from the storm.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're right around 60 responses we've had all day to either trees or limbs down. There's some multiple trees that are on houses and cars that we can't get to. If the tree falls in the street, we pick it up, but if it's on a car, we have to wait for insurance.”

— Jeff Gibbons, Assistant Director of Public Works, City of Erie (yourerie.com)

“Our power went out, and about 20 minutes after that we heard a big shatter. I was actually on my way to my doctor's appointment this morning in my wheelchair, and I was running down the street, and the Myrtle sign is completely blown off the pole. It's scary, but it's life.”

— Robert Takacs (yourerie.com)

What’s next

The weather forecast for the Erie region includes a drop in temperatures and snow over the next few days, which may further complicate the cleanup efforts.

The takeaway

The extreme wind event in Erie underscores the need for robust emergency response and disaster preparedness measures in communities vulnerable to severe weather. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of such storms, local governments and residents must work together to mitigate the impacts and ensure the safety and resilience of their neighborhoods.