Flooding Concerns Grow As Sandy Moves Through Area
LATROBE (KDKA) - Hurricane Sandy's rains were too much for the Loyalhanna Creek as the creek overflowed its banks in Latrobe and flooded streets and homes.
Emergency crews also had to use boats to rescue some people who were trapped.
The rapids are raging in the normally slow-moving Loyalhanna Creek. Parts of the creek rose to over 20 feet, which sent water not just creeping up to people's homes, but practically banging on their doors.
"Around midnight, that's when it just all of a sudden rose very quickly. I could tell we were in trouble and that we had to get out of there," Robert Goslin said.
Friends Rich, Bob, and Charlie ended up sleeping on mats at the Ligonier YMCA after their home on Avenue A in Latrobe became surrounded by waist-deep water.
Leaving only with some clothes, medicine, and Richard's walker, emergency crews had to use a rescue boat to get them to safety.
However, he three friends tried to find the humor in it while still unsure of all the damage.
"I didn't like that boat ride too much. I went in face-first. I went to the back to the front on my belly," Rich Ferrenberg said.
As the morning went on, and the rain kept falling, the creek waters got dangerously close to Route 30, which flooded yards, homes and businesses.
The waters of the Loyalhanna Creek rose so much that they actually submerged part of the roadway, which blocked access to the bridge on Two Mile Run Road.
PennDOT said once the waters subside, they'll have to inspect the bridge to make sure it's structurally sound.
PennDOT crews were already on site mid-morning and monitoring the Kingston Dam and bridge.
The waiting in Westmoreland County for those affected by the flooding is what caused the most worry.
"If there's any damage inside the house or anything, where are we going to stay?" Charles Bancroft said.
Heavy rains and wind brought down several trees around the area, including one in Richland Township which struck a home.
Flood mitigation measures appear to be working in Millvale as Girty's Run is running fast and low Monday morning. As of 6 a.m. it was about 15 feet below flood stage.
Flooding was also reported on Streets Run Road in Baldwin and several towns in Washington County.
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