The National Weather Service has issued flash flood watches for parts of the WJAC-TV viewing area.  For areas under a flash flood watch, people should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued. 

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A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, which is a very dangerous situation. The NWS said most flood deaths occur in automobiles. People should never drive vehicles into areas where water covers the road.

Flood water is usually deeper than it appears, and one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road. The Weather Service said drivers should "make the smart choice: turn around, don't drown."

In the wake of severe weather that tore through parts of the region Thursday, crews and residents were already busy Friday cleaning up what's left behind.

Not only are people cleaning up downed trees and other damage, but they're also cleaning out flooded basements and are still dealing with power outages.

In the Westmont area of Johnstown, crews were removing tree limbs that blocked sidewalks and roads.

Part of Goucher Street Friday morning was closed due to tree limbs pulling power lines, forcing traffic to take Emmett Drive. Just a few minutes away on Kemmer Street, a large tree ripped power lines attached to a house, leaving residents in that area without power.

Some residents told 6 News that due to the widespread damage, it could take longer than expected for people to have their power back on and have blocked roads cleared.

One of the hardest-hit areas Thursday was northern Jefferson County. National Weather Service investigators will visit the Big Run area to determine if it was strong, inline winds or possibly a tornado that caused the extensive damage.

Just about every major road in the county had trees or utility poles blocking its path. The Big Run fire chief said he anticipated cutting down nearly 100 trees before all is said and done. A temporary shelter was set up for families needing a place to stay.

Penelec officials said there are still thousands of customers without electricity in Cambria, Somerset and Indiana counties.

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Penelec crews were working Friday to restore two substations in the Johnstown area but said it could be Saturday before all power is restored.

Rural Electric officials said there are still roughly 1,000 outages related to problems with its Smithport substation, and the company's crews are working to restore power.

One death has been attributed to Thursday evening's severe storms. The Potter County coroner said 66-year-old Linda Button was killed by a fallen tree in Genesee Township. State police were expected to release more details Friday.

In Somerset County, friends and relatives of a woman killed by a lightning strike are trying to raise money to help her family. Mary Yoder was nine months pregnant when she was hit and killed Tuesday. Her unborn child also died.

A fund has been set up for her husband and two children, and donations can be sent to Citizens National Bank in Meyersdale. Donors should clearly mark donations as for the "Menno Yoder Family."