Severe Weather Causes Area Flooding, Road Closures
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Over the past 24 hours, some strong storms moved through the area. The rains prompted flash flooding and there was also a tornado warning for parts of the area.
As a result of the storms, there was a lot of debris and flooding on roadways.
Washington Boulevard was closed for the Friday morning rush hour after overnight rain and storms flooded the area.
The street, that's had flooding issues in the past, was again littered with debris and mud. Crews worked throughout the morning hours to clean it up.
Drivers who needed to travel the stretch of road waited for it to re-open.
"I have an appointment up this way and so...plus, this is not easy to maneuver around town. It's not a little compact car and it has manual steering, so that makes it even tougher," Donald Hannen said.
As the rush hour lingered on, the line of cars and trucks grew longer.
"I'm on my way to work, so yeah, I been waiting here for a while. I spoke to my boss and everything, he's understanding," Ron Tart said.
A Department of Public Works spokesman said the stretch of Washington Boulevard from Allegheny River Boulevard to Negley Run Road began flooding shortly before the evening rush hour on Thursday.
Crews cleared the water and debris then, but it re-flooded after more late night storms, creating more problems for Friday.
The storms caused other problems around the area as well.
In the North Hills, Babcock Boulevard had to be shut down late Thursday because the rising waters of Girty's Run caused flash flooding. The Swift Water Rescue team was called into the area as a precaution. There were about 50 people inside the Monte Cello's restaurant there, but none of them were hurt or trapped in any way.
One woman was in her car when the waters rose, but she was able to get out safely, and no other injuries were reported.
"We arrived to find water rising on three sides of the building with approximately 50 occupants in the building. It was swift water, water was moving at approximately 10 mph," Berkeley Hills Fire Company Assistant Fire Chief Ed Carlino said.
Nearby, Thompson Run Road also had to be closed due to a downed tree. It has since reopened.
Route 28 south was closed for hours overnight between the Route 8 and Highland Park Bridge exits due to a downed tree. The road has since reopened.
Fayette County also saw some extensive flooding.
Several cars were under water along Church Street in Uniontown as of Friday morning.
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