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Storms swept through Philadelphia and the surrounding area Saturday afternoon, leaving severe flooding and downed trees in its wake.
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According to the National Weather Service, at least four microbursts impacted the area, bringing straight-line winds to South and West Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle Parker said Sunday morning.
Parker signed a Declaration of Disaster Emergency Sunday, July 11 as crews set out to clean up the city.
“Our work is far from over. City crews will continue working around the clock to clear hazards, restore services, assess damage, and support every affected neighborhood,” the mayor wrote on X.
What is a microburst storm? What storm impacted Philadelphia this weekend?
A microburst storm is defined by the NWS as a localized downdraft within a thunderstorm.
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Microbursts are caused when hail or water droplets are suspended in the upper portion of a thunderstorm before evaporational cooling, or sinking air, weakens the updraft holding them. When that happens, the core of the rain or hail being upheld then “plummets” to the ground, according to the NWS.
Microbursts are typically 2.5 miles in diameter or less, and can reach windspeeds up to 100 mph, equivalent to an EF-1 tornado.
The storms in Philadelphia had wind gusts of 60-70 mph the NWS reported.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY’s Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is a microburst? NWS says four hit Philadelphia area
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Reporting by Kaitlyn McCormick, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 8:40 PM.