Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined local officials at the Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center in Coraopolis to provide updates on response efforts following major storm damage in western Pennsylvania Tuesday. WATCH ABOVE: Gov. Shapiro, Davis speak in Allegheny County following Tuesday’s storm damageDuring the news conference, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato issued an emergency declaration for the county as crews continue to clean up damage and restore power. “The weather right now is deceiving, but there are still so many downed wires and trees,” Innamorato said. “Do not try to remove lines or trees in the area, let out professional handle it. We are issuing an emergency to deploy all resources necessary to get everything back to normal.” VIDEO ABOVE: Pennsylvania storm damage update from Gov. Shapiro “Safety is the number one priority,” Shapiro said. “Crews are out evaluating road conditions, bridges, and power lines to ensure everyone stays safe and power is restored as quickly as it can be.” He also said, although Duquesne Light estimates power to be restored in five to seven days, it is important to keep in mind that some may not be within that threshold as crews continue restoration efforts. “They are moving as quickly as they are able; they have the teams and added resources they need to get things turned on,” Shapiro stated. “They are transparent in the ways they do that. If you’re without power, just because they are citing five to seven days, you may have it back on much more quickly.” CEO of Duquesne Light Kevin Walker said although restoration may be restored quicker, Thursday’s anticipated rainfall may set work back, as officials want to also ensure worker safety. “We want to ensure everyone is safe, so, depending on the possible severity Thursday, we will evaluate conditions and see if they are safe enough for our workers,” Walker said. “Work should not be majorly pushed back because of this, but we will evaluate all options.” Lt. Gov. Davis said as weather conditions continue to change, it’s essential for residents to help one another if an emergency does arise. “In the spirit of Mr. Rodgers, look for those who are in need and be a helper to those who may need it,” Davis said. The conference comes after three people were killed and thousands were left without power as 80-mile-per-hour winds and heavy rainfall swept through the area Tuesday evening. Duquesne Light said power restoration across the area could take five to seven days, calling the event “unprecedented.” As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the power company reported over 150,000 residents remained without electricity. West Penn Power reported that over 150,000 people also remain without power. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. —Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined local officials at the Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center in Coraopolis to provide updates on response efforts following major storm damage in western Pennsylvania Tuesday.

WATCH ABOVE: Gov. Shapiro, Davis speak in Allegheny County following Tuesday’s storm damage

During the news conference, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato issued an emergency declaration for the county as crews continue to clean up damage and restore power.

“The weather right now is deceiving, but there are still so many downed wires and trees,” Innamorato said. “Do not try to remove lines or trees in the area, let out professional handle it. We are issuing an emergency to deploy all resources necessary to get everything back to normal.”

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VIDEO ABOVE: Emergency Declaration announced in Allegheny County

Shapiro stated that the declaration will help county officials have more flexibility and freedom in deploying the necessary resources needed to ensure safety throughout the region.

“The declaration is smart, that allows them to do a whole bunch of things, have more freedom and flexibility,” Shapiro stated. “Part of what they’ll do when the power comes back on and make sure people are safe is to assess the damage. Should the commonwealth or federal government be needed to assist there, certainly, they will have the support of the commonwealth.”

Shapiro said roughly 400 crews throughout multiple states have been called to assist Duquesne Light in power restoration, also stating PennDOT crews have been deployed to evaluate roads and bridges to ensure safety.

VIDEO ABOVE: Pennsylvania storm damage update from Gov. Shapiro

“Safety is the number one priority,” Shapiro said. “Crews are out evaluating road conditions, bridges, and power lines to ensure everyone stays safe and power is restored as quickly as it can be.”

He also said, although Duquesne Light estimates power to be restored in five to seven days, it is important to keep in mind that some may not be within that threshold as crews continue restoration efforts.

“They are moving as quickly as they are able; they have the teams and added resources they need to get things turned on,” Shapiro stated. “They are transparent in the ways they do that. If you’re without power, just because they are citing five to seven days, you may have it back on much more quickly.”

CEO of Duquesne Light Kevin Walker said although restoration may be restored quicker, Thursday’s anticipated rainfall may set work back, as officials want to also ensure worker safety.

“We want to ensure everyone is safe, so, depending on the possible severity Thursday, we will evaluate conditions and see if they are safe enough for our workers,” Walker said. “Work should not be majorly pushed back because of this, but we will evaluate all options.”

Lt. Gov. Davis said as weather conditions continue to change, it’s essential for residents to help one another if an emergency does arise.

“In the spirit of Mr. Rodgers, look for those who are in need and be a helper to those who may need it,” Davis said.

The conference comes after three people were killed and thousands were left without power as 80-mile-per-hour winds and heavy rainfall swept through the area Tuesday evening.

Duquesne Light said power restoration across the area could take five to seven days, calling the event “unprecedented.”

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the power company reported over 150,000 residents remained without electricity.

West Penn Power reported that over 150,000 people also remain without power.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.