Electricity for many customers has been restored, but about 350 people are still without service.
Power is out in the areas of 11th, 12th, & 13th Avenue as well as parts of 13th-14th Streets.
Penn State Altoona has already canceled some classes for Tuesday. These are the classes for the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and the Aaron, Devorris, Penn, and Kazmaier Buildings. Faculty and staff should not report.
Street are closed to traffic, but some people were walking through town only to find many other businesses are closed until further notice.
The clock at Tom and Joe’s Restaurant still reads 6:45, the exact moment the power went out Sunday evening and that’s when owner, George Batrus, started to scramble.
“Probably 60 percent of our inventory and food just goes to spoilage and now we have to clean it all out and get rid of it all,” said Batrus.
Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico says the substation along 15th street blew up underground and redirected 46,000 volts to the downtown area.
“It was like a disaster movie with manhole covers being blown off the street. Macadam from the round man covers were being blown a couple feet in the air,” said Altoona Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Drumm.
Meantime, containers of food remain stacked on empty tables inside Tom and Joe’s. The restaurant has insurance to coverage the loss.
“The hardest part is just the man hours that it takes to get back going,” said Batrus. “I’m spoilage doesn’t concern me as much as the man hours you gotta put in to get back up and running.”
Batrus says they are using this opportunity to do some cleaning. The earliest they could reopen in Wednesday, but Penelec has not given a specific timeline on when the repairs will be finished.
Help for residents affected by the power outage:
The American Red Cross is in the process of delivering water and ice, on behalf of First Energy, to the affected residents in the downtown area. The drop-off spots will be located at City Hall Commons, Taylor Apartments and Brett Central Court Apartments. The City Emergency Operation Center phone number is: 949-2550. Receive City emergency updates by going to: www.altoonapa.gov If you have an emergency, call 911. Non-emergency assistance is available through the City of Altoona Emergency Operation Center by calling 949-2550
Water and ice is available free of charge to Altoona customers who remain without service. You are asked to show ID at the customer service desk at Giant Eagle located at 181 Sophira Lane.
The Vineyard Church, located as the Altoona Train Station (1231 11th Avenue) is offering its space as a collection point for water and food to assist those affected by the power outage. For more details you can call 814-204-2236.
