Crews Planning For Servere Weather Threat
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - With the threat of heavy rains comes the potential for flooding and the city is already preparing for the latest round of severe weather to hit the area.
There are many variables that come into play with each and every storm and one change can affect how we're impacted by that storm. So, the motto of today was plan for the worst, and hope for the best.
"I'm praying it doesn't. I'm hoping the weatherman's wrong," one woman said.
She lives along Chartiers Avenue in Crafton and said this creek is almost guaranteed to flood tonight with the storm.
"The yards flood, the street floods, it looks like a river," she said.
The creek is actually City of Pittsburgh property and today Public Works Director Rob Kaczorowski said crews cleaned out the culvert to make way for rain.
"We want to make sure that the storm water is controlled the best we can. So, we'll check our culverts, creeks, and streams that run through the city and make sure that the pipes are clear and water has access to those pipes," Kaczorowski said.
Kaczorowski said if high winds come into play, the forestry division is standing by.
"We'll be working round the clock just in case the storm does hit," Kaczorowski said. "We're getting our chainsaws sharpened and ready to go. Our forestry division is on alert. We'll be manning crews throughout the day and the night."
With the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival going on downtown, Shaunda Miles said there's not much they can do in advance of the storm, but they are prepared to jump into action.
"Of course, safety is first. So, if there's any reports or anything that we feel might endanger the participants, the people who come down and enjoy the festival every year, our artists then we'll be sure to take the necessary precautions at that time," Miles said.
