Heavy rains hit Southwestern Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Residents across Southwestern Pennsylvania are cleaning up after heavy rains hit the area on Tuesday.

Parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties were under flash flood warnings at one point on Tuesday night, but all watches and warnings have since expired. 

Several severe thunderstorm warnings were issued throughout the afternoon, and there were tornado warnings for parts of Venango and Mercer counties.

Viewer video from Ellwood City captured a storm showing signs of rotation. 

In Aliquippa, the rain kept the fire department busy. Aliquippa Fire Department Chief Timothy Firich said the severe weather moved in just after 3 p.m.

 "Severe storms, torrential downpours, I couldn't tell you the amount of rain," he said.   

For two hours, crews responded to calls for help.

"Eighteen calls for service ranging from flooded basements, high water in the traffic, a motor vehicle crash," Firich said. "We had a medical emergency going on, severe flooding on state Route 51 around west Aliquippa."

Chief Firich says some homeowners are dealing with a foot of water in their basements.

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