Tragic Loss: Philadelphia Windstorm Claims Life as Tree Falls on Car, Widespread Outages Reported
February 17, 2025
Severe weather conditions in the Philadelphia region led to wind-related damage and widespread power outages.
The area experienced unusually high winds, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph, prompting a high-wind warning.
On February 16, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Crescentville when a tree fell on a car, resulting in the death of the driver.
The victim, identified as Elizabeth Taylor, 65, was driving on W. Hill Creek Drive when the tree struck her vehicle around 6:09 p.m.
Witnesses reported that the incident occurred near the victim's home, shortly after she had attended church earlier that day.
Emergency responders arrived quickly but pronounced Taylor dead at the scene at 6:17 p.m.
The community is mourning her loss, remembering her as a beloved member known for her kindness and positive impact.
Elizabeth Balaguer, a friend of the victim, expressed her grief, recalling their last conversation just a day before the tragedy.
Residents have long expressed concerns about the safety of trees in the area, fearing incidents like this could occur.
Philadelphia police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In addition to the tragic incident, the severe winds caused extensive power outages, affecting over 130,000 customers in the region.
Flight operations at Philadelphia International Airport were also disrupted, with nearly 300 flight delays reported due to the high winds.
Summary based on 8 sources
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Sources

CBS Philadelphia • Feb 17, 2025
Woman dies after tree falls on car in Northeast Philadelphia amid high winds, police say
The Philadelphia Inquirer • Feb 17, 2025
A falling tree killed a woman driving in Crescentville on Sunday night
The Philadelphia Inquirer • Feb 17, 2025
High winds cause hundreds of flight delays at PHL and numerous power outages throughout the region; driver killed when tree falls on car
ABC13 Houston • Feb 17, 2025
Tree lands on car, kills woman amid dangerous winds in Philadelphia